The Creation and Implementation of an Electronic Exercise Prescription at an Ontario Family Health Team

Abstract

Recent evidence shows that 85% of Canadian adults do not meet the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines set forth by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (Colley et al. 2011). In Kingston, Ontario, Canada 66% of males and 50% of females are overweight or obese, which may be associated with decreased PA levels among the Kingston community as compared to previous years (Vital Signs 2012). There is unequivocal evidence regarding the importance of physical activity in the prevention of a wide variety of diseases and obesity. Regular PA is inversely related to the occurrence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other common lifestyle related diseases. CSEP’s suggested 150
minutes of weekly PA is a guideline to help Canadians achieve the health benefits and disease prevention associated with regular PA (Haskell et al. 2007). At Queen’s University, located in Kingston, senior students in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies have been given a chance to make an impact on the PA levels of Kingston residents through the Community-Based Physical Activity Promotion course. By connecting students with a community-based group or organization, the year-long course provides an opportunity for students to practically apply the theories, evidence, and skills discussed in course seminars to the promotion of community PA involvement.