Physical activity counseling for healthy adults as a primary preventive intervention in the clinical setting. Report for the US Preventive Services Task Force
S. S. Harris, C. J. Caspersen, G. H. DeFriese and E. H. Estes Jr
Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7490.
Physical activity has been associated with the prevention and control of
several medial conditions that are major causes of death and disability in
the United States. The criterion-based approach adopted by the US
Preventive Services Task Force is used to objectively evaluate the evidence
regarding the effectiveness of physical activity counseling for healthy
adults as a primary preventive intervention in the clinical setting. This
evaluation addresses: (1) the burden of suffering attributable to physical
inactivity; (2) the efficacy of physical activity in disease prevention in
regard to six medical conditions; and (3) the characteristics of the
intervention in terms of simplicity, cost, safety, acceptability, and
patient compliance. Based on consideration of the evidence for each of
these issues, specific recommendations are made regarding the role of
physical activity counseling in routine clinical practice. In addition,
practical guidelines are presented to aid clinicians in physical activity
counseling.
