Guidelines for physical activity counseling in primary healthcare clinics

Abstract

Background: Every person should engage in exercise or physical activity for health benefits. Primary healthcare physicians should assess the physical activity levels of patients and encourage them to exercise.Current Concepts: World Health Organization physical activity guidelines for adults include 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week and muscle-strengthening activities for at least two days per week. People over 65 years of age should engage in adult physical activities and exercises to improve balance and prevent falls at least three times per week. Children and adolescents should engage in physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily and high-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least three days per week. Muscle and bone strengthening activities should be performed at least three days per week. Pregnant and postpartum women should regularly engage in physical activity, including moderate-intensity aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening activities, and light stretching exercises.Discussion and Conclusion: Only 16.9% of adults in Korea met the physical activity guidelines in 2020. The percentage was even lower for adolescents, older adults, and women. Therefore, primary healthcare physicians should monitor and encourage physical activity among their patients, although ensuring that they engage in sufficient physical activity is difficult. During clinical practice, counseling methods to improve compliance should be appropriately utilized. Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle that should be implemented along with smoking cessation, a reduction in alcohol consumption, and dietary control. Primary healthcare physicians should encourage improvement in patients’ physical activity levels through counseling.