#Physical #activity #therapeutic #treatment
The Haute Autorité de santé has just published a guide and advice sheets for doctors who can prescribe a physical activity adapted to the physiology and psychology of the patient. Remember all the benefits of this practice on health.
Since the entry into force of the 2016 health system modernization law, general practitioners can prescribe the practice of physical activity by medical prescription People with a long-term condition (diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.). The law of March 2, 2022, which aims to democratize sport in France and develop sport-health, reiterates this possibility and extends it to all doctors. she dedicates Physical activity as therapeutic treatment. complete.
In this dynamic, the High Health Authority (HAS) has just published a consultation and medical prescription guide for physical activity in adults and original advice sheets for doctors, physiotherapists and teachers of adapted physical activity. These publications are intended better inform them and support the medical profession in its care procedures.
By physical activity, we do not only mean sport, as Professor Martine Duclos, endocrinologist and physiologist, head of the department of sports medicine at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, points out. “It is any bodily movement produced by the muscles that requires an expenditure of energy greater than the expenditure at rest. In other words, they care walking, bicycling, taking the stairs instead of the elevator to get upstairs, or even gardening or cleaning around the house.
How to exercise when working sitting down?
The fight against physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle is a public health priority. Recent studies have revealed that at the age of 7, a child spends 51% of his time sitting. This time is 74% for a 15-year-old adolescent. Adults are not left out. Pass sit twelve hours a day, when they work. Carried to nine when at rest.
Telecommuting has not helped at all. ” The chair is our new addiction. ”, regrets Professor François Carré, cardiologist and sports doctor at Rennes University Hospital.
Professor Martine Duclos, endocrinologist and physiologist, head of the department of sports medicine at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, therefore advises get up from your seat every hour and “move around for at least one to three minutes “It could be going upstairs to grab something, like doing stretches or doing small movements on the floor. “You clear your mind and after that, you’re much more focused.”
Physical activity facilitates the prevention and control of diseases
To date, although the law establishes it, there are few physical activity prescriptions issued by doctors. If the brakes remain, it is mostly a lack of knowledge. However, there is proven evidence of the health benefits of its daily practice. “Things must change and my sisters and brothers must be trained in the prescription of physical activity, says Professor François Carré, a cardiologist and sports doctor at Rennes University Hospital. The training of professionals is essential both at the university level and throughout professional life. »
Additionally, many patients are apprehensive about engaging in physical activity due to well-established inactivity in their daily lives, advanced age, or deteriorating or impaired health. Physical activity is a medically and scientifically recognized therapeutic treatment, whether it is carried out alone or accompanied by other medicinal or non-pharmacological treatments. ” For example, reduces the risk of diabetes by 30 to 50% and reduces the possible recurrence of certain breast cancers Professor Duclos observes.
Regular physical activity facilitates the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases. she contributes to prevent hypertension, the risk of depression and cardiovascular diseases among other things, to maintain a correct body weight. It affects general well-being, including mental health and quality of life. It must be regular and continued throughout life.
A physical activity adapted in its duration and intensity
the doctor must adapt the prescribed physical activity, from its duration to its intensity, taking into account the patient’s physiological and psychological state of health. You also have to take into account the tastes of the latter. Thus, as indicated in the HAS reference sheets, the prescription will be oriented towards resistance and resistance activities, such as jogging or dancing, for asthmatic patients.
Regarding Parkinson’s disease, resistance physical activities, such as yoga or Nordic walking, have shown a positive effect on physical health, balance, walking speed, risk of falls, etc.
Regular physical activity of moderate intensity is also recommended for patients with schizophrenic disorders. she constitutes a complementary therapy to antipsychotic treatments without side effects. Time spent in sedentary activities should be reduced. On the other hand, that dedicated to daily physical activity (housework, walks, etc.) and adapted, prescribed by the doctor, should be greater.
“At one point, we used to say that we had to economize,” admits Professor Martine Duclos. “This is the case of pregnant women who were put on rest when they should continue with physical activity if their health status allows it. This prevents, among other things, weight gain, reduces labor time during childbirth, resorts to caesarean section…”.
Supervision by a “sports-health” professional
Physical activity must be supervised by a professional. It can be in one of the Sport-Santé centers* spread throughout France, with a physiotherapist or a sports health education specialist**.
The physical activity prescription is not reimbursed by Social Security, although this option is being studied for patients with chronic diseases (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.). But already some health supplements offer partial or full support.
The HAS will soon make “patient files” available to users with information on the effects of physical activity on sixteen different pathologies and health states. A consultation and prescription guide for children’s physical activity for doctors will also be published shortly.
*The Sport-Santé houses bring together health and sports professionals. They are aimed at people in good health who wish to (re)start physical activity and sports with specific support and people suffering from chronic illnesses who require, under medical prescription, adapted physical activity.
**That is to say, a professional entitled STAPS – Physical Activity and Adapted Health, or trained by a device proposed by the Ministry of Sports or by a sports federation that provides “sport-health” training.
- Photo Credit: Getty Images
