Effectiveness of Physical Activity Advice and Prescription by Physicians in Routine Primary CareA Cluster Randomized Trial

Abstract

Health benefits of physical activity are undisputed, but the majority of the population in developed countries is insufficiently active.^1-3 Therefore, physical activity promotion represents a public health priority, and there is a need for action at the individual, family, health care, community, and governmental levels.² The potential contributions by primary care physicians could be substantial because they can take advantage of the ongoing care they provide to a large sector of the population and be influential in changing patients' behaviors.⁴ However, while current evidence provides strong support for communitywide interventions, it is inconclusive for physicians' interventions.^5-7