Why should I get active?
PCN family physicians are now prescribing physical activity to assist patients with reducing their risks through the Prescription To Get Active program.
Those who are active live longer, healthy lives. The benefits of regular physical activity include:
- better mental health
- better sleep
- more energy
- relief in symptoms from health conditions
- healthier weight
- build and keep strong muscles
- better able to resist illness
- reduced risk of falls
- longer life
People who are inactive have a higher chance of developing these health concerns:
- anxiety
- depression
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- some cancers
- obesity
- kidney problems
- osteoporosis (brittle bones)
Just 150 minutes of activity a week for adults can reduce these risks and improve your health regardless of weight loss. The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines provide advice on the required amount of activity is recommended for health benefits. Please see the links for each age group:
Physical Activity Guidelines 0-4 years old
Physical Activity Guidelines 5-11 years old
Physical Activity Guidelines 12-17 years old
Physical Activity Guidelines 18-64 years old
Physicial Activity Guidelines 65 years and older
If you would like to use a steps counter (pedometer) and tracking sheet to keep track of your activity, please download and print our tracking sheet, here.
Talk to your PCN member physician or healthcare provider at these PCNs for more information on the Prescription to Get Active program:
- Alberta Heartland
- Big Country
- Calgary Foothills
- Calgary Rural
- Calgary West Central
- Camrose
- Drayton Valley
- Edmonton North
- Edmonton Southside
- Edmonton West
- Kalyna Country
- Leduc Beaumont Devon
- Lloydminster
- Highland
- McLeod River
- Mosaic
- Peaks to Prairies
- Red Deer
- Rocky Mountain House
- South Calgary
- Sherwood Park Strathcona County
- St. Albert & Sturgeon
- WestView
- Wetaskiwin
- Wolf Creek
If you don’t have a family doctor, start your search at Find a PCN Family Doctor website. If you do have a family doctor and are not sure if he or she belongs to a PCN, please ask during your next appointment.
For healthcare professionals:
Dr. Robert Sallis is family physician and sports medicine expert, who encourages his patients to take charge of their health by exercising. Dr. Sallis serves as the chairman for the Exercise is Medicine initiative and previously served as president (2007-08) of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He has received numerous national and international awards for his leadership in promoting the benefits of regular physical activity. He has a busy practice at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, and prescribes walking as a front line medication to his patients to put them on the path to better health.
Physicians and allied healthcare professionals are encouraged to read his article, “Developing healthcare systems to support exercise: exercise as the fifth vital sign” for supporting information.