The phrase ‘exercise is medicine’ is becoming increasingly recognised as an essential form of treatment for various lifestyle-related diseases. Exercise, unlike drug therapy, can significantly improve multiple chronic conditions simultaneously.
The physiological benefits of regular strength and aerobic training are much greater than taking prescription medication as these drugs are manufactured to generally only target one specific health condition.
To this benefit, the Nigeria Heart Foundation (NHF) has recognised the growing prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Nigeria and the need to achieve the non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) global target on physical activity by launching the 2018 Nigerian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth and unveiling the ‘Exercise is Medicine’ Initiative.
“The essence of this is to ensure physicians prescribe exercise. The unveiling of this initiative is to improve the health of Nigerians and the entire health system,” said Babatunde Salako, director-general, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)
Salako said that the institute is meant to conduct research, stating that he believes non-communicable diseases are also part of it. “I could see that one of the things pointed out is that there are reports on research on physical activities especially when it comes to children and youth. I will say the issue of exercise is very important. People who can’t afford drugs could use exercise to maintain blood pressure”.
Also speaking at the launch, Olufemi Mobolaji-Lawal, chairman, executive Council, NHF said 2018 Nigerian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth is an advocacy to research work and policy implementation.
“There is a lot of be done on exercise because the awareness is low, we will use the card to assess the physical activities of Nigerians,” he said.
Mobolaji-Lawal further said that every environment is suitable for physical activities in Africa. The environment changes and we have to adapt.” We want everybody to be active and we are trying to design a way on how they can be active which our core motive is,” he said.
However, the Commonwealth Government has incorporated Exercise Physiology in health scheme. This has given medical practitioners the capacity to refer patients with chronic and complex illness to Exercise Physiologists for guided exercise therapy.
Studies have shown that there is clear evidence that regular physical activity produces significant health effects and reduces the risk of premature death from any cause and cardiovascular disease.
ANTHONIA OBOKOH
