Strategies to Increase Physical Activity

How to Assess Current Levels of Physical Activity

How to recommend patients increase physical activity

1. Identify opportunities to add more physical activity into everyday life.
   • Walk or ride a bike rather than driving
   • Walk the dog
   • Take the stairs instead of an elevator
   • Begin hobbies that require physical activity (such as gardening or hiking)
   • Incorporate light physical activity into daily routine
   • Park the car farther away and walk
   • Participate in physical activities with grandchildren
2. Recommend individuals reach a goal of 30 minutes of physical activity that makes you breathe harder on most or all days of the week. Emphasize it's OK for them to start at 5 or 10 minutes of easy and fun activity, and work up to 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week. Individuals may also break up the 30 minutes into smaller, 10-minute segments.
3. Prescribe individualized programs based on individual goals that incorporate cardiovascular, strength, flexibility, and balance activities such as the First Step to Active HealthT program. Specific, written physical activity prescriptions involving goal setting and follow-up are most effective.
4. Refer patients to local community resources such as senior centers, medical fitness facilities, or university aging centers with evidence-based, structured physical activity programs.