Physical Activity-Empowering the Sports Medicine Physician

Physical Activity-Empowering the Sports Medicine Physician presents an overview of the concept of exercise as a “medication”, and points out why physical activity is so critical to good health. The video discusses how to promote, encourage, and implement programs for physical exercise across medical school curricula, healthcare settings, communities, and populations in general. In that regard, the video examines the key components involved in a physical activity/health-related curriculum and training program being undertaken at a major U.S. university's medical school. The video also discusses physical activity in the community, including patterns of exercise, social determinants, and real-world solutions to implementing the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) model in healthcare setting. In addition, the video details why sports medicine physicians are uniquely equipped to be involved in all aspects of a patient's health, as well as a resource to other physicians. Subsequently, the video explores the vital role of physical activity and healthy behaviors in overall health, including treating exercise as a real medicine, understanding the appropriate dosage (prescription of exercise) and measuring the benefits of physical activity, and adopting an “exercise vital sign.”