From the Editor-in-Chief . . .
Health care
providers have frequently been identified as personnel who are in position to
provide information and motivation for their patients regarding physical
activity. Many if not most individuals see their health care providers annually
or more frequently and this is a potential point of contact. However, health
care providers do not always discuss physical activity citing time constraints,
lack of their own training regarding appropriate physical activity, and
uncertainty of patient interest. The health care provider may also have their
own perceptions regarding the benefits of physical activity and health and
these perceptions, including their own participation in physical activity, may
influence discussions with patients. Das and colleagues have investigated
health care providers physical activity using accelerometry and questionnaires
and subsequently determined if there were associations with physical activity counseling,
they provided their patients. Interestingly, although the activity levels of the
health care providers was high, knowledge of physical activity recommendations
was low. Education for health care providers regarding guidelines are suggested
and would fit well with the ACSM Exercise is Medicine campaign.
**Notice/Abstract Submission- please see authors can now
indicate their research as translational. Furthermore, notice the translational
research abstract competition under Travel Awards.
Joseph E. Donnelly, EdD, FACSM
