Tell Them to Walk

Can your primary care doctor motivate you to get the recommended level of physical activity? A study in the May 12, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine found a big difference when older men received a brief counseling session on a home-based walking and strength exercise program during their primary care visit. They also were asked to track their exercise on monthly calendars. They exercised an average 45 minutes more per week than the control group who only received a newsletter promoting exercise and health topics.

Counseling Promotes Walking and Exercise

The study shows the powerful effect of a healthcare provider counseling a patient to perform an action versus simply promoting healthy activities via newsletters. The study was conducted among senior male veterans who already had functional limitations, a group which might be reluctant to exercise. Motivating them to greater functional health took only a brief personal counseling time and follow-up phone calls.

Recording Your Exercise is a Powerful Tool

The study participants also recorded their exercise, a tool which has long been proven to increase motivation to exercise. Some participants also used an accelerometer to record exercise time and intensity. Having a gadget such as a pedometer or accelerometer to record your exercise is also motivational.

Give an Exercise Prescription

This study supports the effectiveness of health care providers "prescribing" an exercise program. Including simple tools such as recording exercise on a calendar or using a pedometer also help motivate patients to achieve the basic exercise recommendations.

U.S. Exercise Guidelines for Healthy Adults
Exercise Guidelines for Those Over Age 65
Tracking Your Walks

Need to Get Moving?

How to Start Walking
Let's Get Walking: Four-week daily email course for beginners

_Source:

Patricia M. Dubbert, PhD; Miriam C. Morey, PhD; Kent A. Kirchner, MD; Edward F. Meydrech, PhD; Karen Grothe, PhD. "Counseling for Home-Based Walking and Strength Exercise in Older Primary Care Patients." Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(9):979-986.