Why are Patients Reluctant to View Exercise as a Treatment Plan?

Abstract

As healthcare costs continue to rise worldwide, as well as cases
of overweight and obese individuals, a pedagogical shift must
be made towards a greater use of preventative care and exercise as
treatment methods for disease management and prevention. The
physical benefits of exercise are not disputed, but costs, proper
exercise prescription, and program compliance remain barriers to
widespread adoption of exercise as treatment for disease management and improving quality of life. Regular weekly exercise not
only improves quality of life in overweight and obese individuals1
and individuals with cardiorespiratory illness or disease,2
but
will also save on healthcare costs. Research has indicated seniors
(age <65-years) who regularly participate in an organized exercise
program spend on average $1186-2144 less than their less active
or sedentary peers.3
However, the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC)4
noted that only 22.9% of Americans achieved the weekly exercise recommendations of strength training two times per
week, and at least 150-minutes of moderate-to-vigorous cardiovascular activity weekly.