Los Centros de Atención Primaria podrán recetar ejercicio físico

Leaving the primary care center with a prescription for physical exercise is now a reality.The Government has launched a sports prescription program that integrates physical activity into the healthcare system as a therapeutic tool, adapted to the health condition of each patient and without substituting medication in any case. The initiative allows referring people who meet certain inclusion criteria, especially those with sedentary habits, to community physical exercise programs. The objective is to improve the level of physical activity of the adult population that needs it most, with the aim of preventing the deterioration of their health. The project starts in afirst phase with the participation of about fifty primary care teams spread across 80 Catalan municipalities. The initiative, promoted by the Departments of Sports and Health, is especially aimed at sedentary people and those with uncomplicated cardiovascular risk diseases and some under an initiated treatment, but whose evolution would improve with more physical activity. The scientific evidence is so conclusive with these initial inclusion criteria that the goal is to achieve adherence to an active lifestyle.

From the consultation to the gym 

The program is prescribed by healthcare professionals from primary care centers, who can recommend physical exercise and refer the patient to a specific program with the follow-up of a physical activity and sports professional, or to other outdoor activities developed in the community environment.

Once referred, the person will carry out the program in a sports facility (pavilion, swimming pool, etc.) or in an outdoor space, where they will receive guidance adapted to their case.

The main novelty is the incorporation of a digital sports prescription tool into the computerized clinical history system used by primary care. This tool allows healthcare professionals to refer people, through a printed prescription, to physical exercise programs adjusted to their situation and supervised by physical activity and sports professionals.

Sport as a health promotion tool

The initiative seeks to combat sedentarism, promote sports, and an active lifestyle. In fact, numerous studies show that very common diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and overweight can be prevented with healthy habits.

More movement, less medication

Physical exercise also provides many other benefits for mental health, in cases of depression or anxiety, as well as in the autonomy of older people. In addition, it contributes to cognitive and memory improvements at all ages. In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes muscular, bone, and cognitive development.

Mapping of community sports resources

To reach this first phase, the Department of Sports has carried out an inventory of existing physical exercise programs in Catalonia. Based on this work, referral criteria and program circuits have been unified between the Health and Sports areas.

With the sports prescription program, the Government aligns itself with the objectives of the World Health Organization to promote health through physical activity and healthy habits. Catalonia thus moves towards a more preventive model and, in some cases, also indirectly supports the recovery process, which will at the same time contribute to the reduction of healthcare spending.