What Elements of Sport and Exercise Science Should Primary Care Physicians Learn? An Interdisciplinary Discussion

Summary and application of the WHO 2020 physical activity guidelines for patients with essential hypertension in primary care

“…The guidelines are considered as public health recommendations and represent general recommendations for “chronic conditions”. Encouraging people with chronic illnesses to change their behaviors may need more specific guidance for effectively tailor PA advice [ 20 ]. Individuals with different health risks and conditions require tailored recommendations to ensure the safety and appropriateness of the program [ 28 ].…”

“…Several self-screening tools (e.g., Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and You (PAR-Q+)) have been developed for people to assess their health readiness before PA participation [ 20 , 28 ]. Within primary care settings, advanced instruments, such as exercise stress and cardiopulmonary exercise tests, are excellent diagnostic tools, but are not commonly available.…”

“…A key starting point in developing a PA prescription is that individuals should start with small amounts of PA and gradually progress frequency, intensity, and duration to meet the recommended levels or as their abilities allowed [ 18 , 19 ]. The specific guidelines for hypertension, the FITT PRO (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, and Progression) principle, can be adopted as a framework to break down the PA guidelines into smaller portions and clearer information [ 20 , 28 ]. The FITT PRO principle is adaptable for PA counseling among patients with hypertension [ 45 ] and primary care providers can adopt this tool and adjust each component for the tailored PA prescription.…”

“…For example, the 2020 International Society of Hypertension Global Hypertension Practice Guidelines provides recommendations, such as engaging in multi-component, lifestyle modification that includes moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 30 min on 5–7 days/week or high-intensity interval training, as well as strength or resistance exercise on 2–3 days/week [ 11 ]. Therefore, it is a challenge for healthcare providers to translate these guidelines into clinical practice [ 20 ]. This article summarizes WHO 2020 PA guidelines and provides pragmatic recommendations for primary care providers to advise patients with essential hypertension on PA as the following aspects: the WHO guidelines on PA and SB, implications for patients with essential hypertension in primary care, PA assessment, safety considerations, PA prescription, behavioral counseling, and referral to PA resources and professionals.…”

Physical Activity with Sports Scientist (PASS) programme to promote physical activity among patients with non-communicable diseases: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial protocol

“…Hence, physicians and nurses face several barriers to promoting PA. Non-clinicians, such as sports scientists, are well-trained professionals under formal curricula at the higher education level. Regarding knowledge and skills, sports scientists and clinicians can potentially improve PA promotion in primary care 19…”