ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes some of the learnings that we have achieved over the past 25 years and also put them in context in specific ways to prescribe physical activity for other physicians and health-care workers. One good way of starting the conversation about the level of physical activity is to use the recommendation incorporated by both the US National Physical Activity Program and the Exercise is Medicine initiative. Thus, the typical way that exercise is prescribed by exercise physiologists and the principles endorsed by organizations such as American College of Sports Medicine are typically not necessary for individuals who have been sedentary and simply want to incorporate more physical activity in their lives. Muscular fitness is important for a variety of reasons including the ability to perform the activities of daily living as well as maintaining balance and performing various fitness activities with lower risk of injuries.
