Why do we need physical activity interventions?

Although physical activity (PA) and exercise are effective treatment options for different chronic diseases (class I recommendation, level of evidence A),1 the implementation of these interventions in healthcare systems is still limited.1 2 Thus, their role and impact on individual and population health continue to be neglected. These low-cost treatment options are underused in clinical practice settings, partially because of a combination of a lack of awareness, insufficient knowledge and medical training to foster PA and exercise prescription,2 inadequate medical infrastructure and in some countries non-reimbursement for this treatment option. However, demographic (ie, the ageing population) and epidemiologic (ie, lifestyle-related disease) changes, as well as limited financial, logistical and professional resources, require current healthcare systems to undergo a paradigm shift, where PA and exercise are routinely prescribed. But are medical schools preparing future clinicians for…