Primary care centers will be able to prescribe physical exercise

Leaving the primary care center with a prescription for physical exercise is already a reality. The Government has launched a sports prescription program that integrates physical activity into the healthcare system as a therapeutic tool, adapted to each patient's health condition and without ever replacing medication. The initiative allows people who meet certain inclusion criteria, especially those with sedentary habits, to be referred to community physical exercise programs. The objective is to improve the physical activity level of the adult population that needs it most, with the aim of preventing the deterioration of their health.

The project begins in a first phase with the participation of about fifty primary care teams spread across 80 Catalan municipalities. The initiative, driven by the Departments of Sports and Health, is specifically aimed at sedentary individuals and those with uncomplicated cardiovascular risk diseases, and some who are under initial treatment but whose progress would improve with more physical activity. The scientific evidence is so compelling with these initial inclusion criteria that the aim is to achieve adherence to an active lifestyle.From the consultation to the gym

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

Once referred, the person will undertake the program in a sports facility (hall, pool, etc.) or outdoor space, where they 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 adapted to their situation and supervised by physical activity and sports professionals.Sport as a tool for health promotion

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

Physical exercise also brings many other benefits to mental health, in cases of depression or anxiety, and also to the autonomy of the elderly. Furthermore, it contributes to cognitive and memory improvements at all ages. In children and adolescents, physical activity favors muscular, bone, and cognitive development.Mapping of community sports resources

To reach this first phase, the Department of Sports has inventoried the physical exercise programs existing in Catalonia. Based on this work, the referral criteria and program circuits have been unified between the fields of Health and Sports.With the sports prescription program, the Government aligns with the objectives of the World Health Organization to promote health through physical activity and healthy habits. Catalonia is thus moving towards a more preventive model and, in some cases, also indirectly supports the recovery process, which will simultaneously contribute to reducing healthcare expenditure.