Collaboration key to improving adherence to physical activity guidelines

We all know that being physically active is important for our health, but getting people to actually move enough to meet the recommended guidelines can be a challenge. In 2022, only 22% of Australians met the physical activity recommendations, which call for adults to engage in 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity each week or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous-intensity physical activity, along with two muscle-strengthening sessions, a week.

For those under 18, it’s 60 minutes a day, and if you’re over 64, add some balance and flexibility exercises. This is where hospital and health professionals, including exercise physiologists, can step in and collaborate to help improve health outcomes.

Exercise physiologists are healthcare professionals who specialise in using exercise as a form of medicine to help patients achieve their health goals. They tailor exercise plans to each individual’s needs, focusing on safety and effectiveness. More importantly, they use behaviour change strategies to help patients follow through with their exercise plans.

Have you ever prescribed a treatment, only to find out later that the patient didn’t follow through? That’s where behaviour change techniques come into play. Exercise physiologists use motivational interviewing and other strategies to guide patients towards embracing physical activity.

By working together, health professionals and exercise physiologists can create a more comprehensive approach to patient care. For instance, during a referral, exercise physiologists can dive deep into a patient’s motivations, beliefs and concerns about exercise, helping them develop a plan that suits their lifestyle and addresses any fears or misconceptions.

Consider a scenario where a physiotherapist refers a patient to an exercise physiologist because the patient isn’t engaging in the prescribed exercises. A 45-minute conversation with the patient can reveal the root of the issue and lead to a personalised plan that resonates with the patient’s values and goals.

Health professionals can start by asking patients simple questions about their physical activity habits. For example:

“How physically active are you?”

“What does being physically active mean to you?”

“What’s your daily routine like?”

These questions open the door to conversations about physical activity and can reveal opportunities for referrals to exercise physiologists. By discussing a patient’s current exercise habits and any challenges they’re facing, we can help them set achievable goals and create a low-barrier plan to incorporate more movement into their routine. Tracking progress can help keep patients motivated and committed to making long-term changes.

It’s essential to look at each patient holistically, considering how physical activity can impact their overall health. While you may have expertise in a specific area of health, collaborating with exercise physiologists can provide a broader perspective and enhance patient care.

Exercise physiologists can help understand contraindications to exercise for specific health conditions and provide training or support to set up referral pathways. This partnership can strengthen our collective efforts to improve patient outcomes.

Many articles emphasise the importance of physical activity, but they often miss the ‘how’ of getting patients to move more. This is where exercise physiologists excel. They can work with you to help patients overcome barriers and find ways to integrate physical activity into their lives.

So, if you haven’t already, start a conversation with an exercise physiologist. Share what you’ve learned about your patient’s physical activity habits and ask for their input on how to best support them. By working together, we can create a more active, healthier population.

We all know that physical activity is crucial for longevity and quality of life, so let’s make it a central part of our patient care. By collaborating with exercise physiologists and focusing on both the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of promoting physical activity, we can help our patients lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

If you’re looking for more resources or want to connect with an exercise physiologist, check your hospital’s intranet page to find someone nearby. Together, we can make a difference in our patients’ lives by encouraging them to move more and live better.

*Luke Snabaitis is an Advanced Exercise Physiologist at Sunshine Coast Health and is a member of Exercise & Sports Science Australia.

Image credit: iStock.com/Daenin Arnee