Exercise Advice Helps

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows advising patients about exercise is effective in increasing physical activity and improving quality of life.

Researchers in New Zealand used the "green prescription" program to test 878 sedentary individuals.

The program helps primary care doctors educate their patients about the benefits of exercise. Doctors discuss healthy exercise behaviors with patients and then give them a green prescription card that highlights their fitness goals. The patients are further advised over the telephone for a three-month period.

Researchers involved in this study divided the patients into two groups. One group received advice about exercising by using the green prescription program, while the other did not.

The advised group showed an increase in physical activity during leisure time. This group also reported higher energy levels and a better self-rated measurement. They gave themselves improved ratings in the general health, bodily pain, and vitality categories.

The counseled group also saw a decrease in blood pressure, but no changes in the risk of coronary heart disease were observed. Researchers say this study is the first of its kind to find a link between exercise counseling and better physical health.

The study proves that advice, coupled with ongoing telephone support, can change a person's exercise habits. Researchers say widespread implementation of the green prescription program could result in major health benefits for sedentary people.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, 2003;326:793-796

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