Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes or cancer. It reduces your risk of stroke, dementia, osteoporosis, and obesity. Exercise also helps with your mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.
Despite all of these benefits, most Americans need more. According to the Department of Health, 80% of Americans don't meet the recommendations for physical activity which is impacting our health. About half of American adults have a preventable chronic disease, but the good news is that exercise positively impacts seven of the ten most common ones, which leads to the question:
Are you getting enough activity?
Here are the current guidelines:
- Preschool-aged children (ages 3 - 5): At least 3 hours of physical activity daily
- Children and adolescents (ages 6 - 17): At least 60 minutes of activity a day
- Adults: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly and muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days
- Older adults (ages 65 and older): Same as the adults above with additional components added, such as balance training
If you're falling short on physical activity, yoru physical therapist can help!
Physical therapists have extensive training in anatomy, physiology, and movement science and can help get anyone moving! In particularly, great times to choose a physical therapist to help with your fitness include:
- You are recovering from an injury or surgery
- You have pain or limitations that affect your movement
- You have a chronic condition that affects your fitness, like arthritis
- You need help improving your balance or preventing falls
- You want a personalized program that addresses specific weaknesses or imbalances
Your physical therapist is also able to work with your physicians and medical team to ensure safe workouts. As you progress, they can also work with professionals like strength coaches or personal trainers to take your fitness to the next level.
With your therapist's guidance, you can address limitations, prevent injuries, and design a personalized program that keeps you motivated and moving towards a healthier you! A Wellness360 Physical Therapist Evaluation is a great place to start, with your therapist assessing posture, strength, flexibility and balance, while considering how your body functions as a whole. Your therapist will make a personalized recommentations to promote healthy aging and get you moving!
References
- Building motivation and sustainability into the prescription and recommendations for physical activity and exercise therapy: The evidence, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 25:5-6, 424-441. DOI: 10.1080/09593980902835344
- The physical therapist’s role in physical activity promotion. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;43:99-101. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/43/2/99.citation-tools
- Improving Adherence to Exercise: Do People With Knee Osteoarthritis and Physical Therapists Agree on the Behavioral Approaches Likely to Succeed?. Arthritis Care Res, 70: 388-397. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23297
- Periodization and physical therapy: Bridging the gap between training and rehabilitation. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1466853X1500067X
Additional Resources
- Physical Activity Improves Your Health and Quality of Life: https://www.choosept.com/video/physical-activity-improves-health-quality-life
- Home Exercise From a Physical Therapist: https://www.choosept.com/video/home-exercises-floor-mat
- Tips to Avoid Overtraining: https://www.choosept.com/health-tips/tips-avoid-overtraining-injuries