FEATURE: EXERCISE IS MEDICINE EXERCISE IS MEDICIN EXERCISE IS THE BEST, CHEAPEST, MOST ACCESSIBLE MEDICINE AVAILABLE. Research has proven that exercise, •Lower the risk of stroke by 27% at the correct intensity and duration, not only improves •Reduce the incidence of high blood quality of life – it also decreasespressure by almost 50% the incidence of disease, chronic health conditions and obesity. •Reduce the incidence of diabetes by almost 50% “If we had a pill that Australia currently faces growing health problems including a variety of chronic •Reduce mortality and the risk of conferred all the confirmed diseases and health complicationsrecurrent breast cancer by almost 50% health benefits of exercise, including: obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, •Lower the risk of colon cancer by would we not do everything depression, anxiety, arthritis, andover 60% osteoporosis. humanly possible to see •Reduce the risk of developing that everyone had access Physical inactivity is the fourth leadingAlzheimer’s disease by one-third risk factor for all deaths and over to this wonder drug? 1 in 2 Australian adults (54%) were •Decrease depression as effectively Would it not be the most not sufficiently active in 2014–15as medications or behavioural therapy (AIHW, 2017). prescribed pill in the Over 85% of the population The Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) Australiavisits a GP at least history of mankind?” initiative is part of a global campaignonce a year, so there to increase physical activity. Researchis potential for GPs (Prof Robert E Sallis, shows that regular exercise at theto have an importantrole in identifying, Chair, Exercise is Medicine) correct intensity can: treating and •Significantly improve overall healthpreventing adult and childhood •Reduce the risk of heart diseaseobesity. However, by 40% many overweight or obese patients, 18 VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 2 2018