by Brad Duncan
At the request of the UK College of Education’s J.W. Yates and to follow in the footsteps of a national movement, Governor Steve Beshear proclaimed May to be Exercise is Medicine Month in Kentucky.
“This is important because we are trying to get people to understand that regular exercise can have such profound effects on an individual’s health that it can reduce the impact of many of our chronic diseases,” said Yates, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion.
Established in 2008, Exercise is Medicine Month is designed as a time for health care providers, fitness professionals, the public, and supporting organizations and constituents to recognize, emphasize and celebrate the valuable health benefits of exercise on a national scale.
“Everyone should start or renew an exercise program now as an investment in life-long health,” said Robert E. Sallis, M.D., FACSM, chair of Exercise is Medicine. “Every person, regardless of age or health, is responsible for his or her own physical activity. There are far more reasons to exercise than excuses not to.”
With the support of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), many states, cities and other organizations have embraced the national effort to increase physical activity awareness.
Kentucky’s proclamation reads:
To All To Whom These Presents Shall Come:
Whereas, May 2011 is Exercise is Medicine™ Month nationally; and
Whereas, People are encouraged to talk with their physicians about how physical activity and exercise may help treat or prevent numerous chronic conditions, such as hypertension, cardiac disease and diabetes; and
Whereas, All health care providers are encouraged to talk to their patients about the health benefits of exercise and to strongly recommend that their patients exercise as appropriate; and
Whereas, Regular physical activity and moderate-intensity exercise are indeed a powerful prescription and have curative and protective health benefits, with great potential to improve the health and quality of life of all Americans; and
Whereas, A Healthier populace leads to cost savings, greater participation in the workforce and other benefits to society at large; and
Whereas, The American College of Sports Medicine and the Commonwealth of Kentucky call on health care organizations, physicians and other professionals – regardless of specialty – to review and advocate for each patient’s physical activity program during every comprehensive visit;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVEN L. BESHEAR, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby proclaim May 2011 as EXERCISE IS MEDICINE™ MONTH in Kentucky.
For more information on Exercise is Medicine Month visit exerciseismedicine.org/. For more information on ACSM visit www.acsm.org.