Working with your local physicians by Phil Page, MS, PT, ATC, CSCS

A physician’s advice is one of the most important factors in older adults deciding to exercise, yet less than 50% of these medical professionals counsel patients on this topic (Ades et al., 1992; Damush et al., 1999). In fact, doctors discuss physical activity less than 30% of the time with patients who have such risk factors for heart disease as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, according to a recent report (Ma et al., 2004).