Exercise as medicine to live well for longer.

An autoimmune disease develops when the immune system fails to recognise self from non-self and mounts an immunologic response damaging its own tissues.

Osteoarthritis (OA) results in joint stiffness, pain and impaired function. Knee and hip OA represent two of the most common causes of disability in the world. The inflammatory presentation and persistent episodes or flare-ups of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) result in pain and stiffness, leading to progressive joint deformities and loss of function.

Research has found that 42% of falls can be prevented by specific exercise protocols and exercises that involve balance challenges and that are undertaken frequently 
(ie. More than 2 hours per week for a period of 6 months).

For every 20/10mmHg increase in blood pressure above 115/70mmHg, there is twice the increase of cardiovascular disease risk. Alarmingly, depression is highly prevalent in cardiac patients. 20-40% experience major depression, contributing to the development and progression of their condition, reducing quality of life and life expectancy.

Exercise medicine is an important tool used to support women’s health through all stages of life (from menses to menopause). Specific prescription for PCOS, Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain can be used to support both physical and emotional wellbeing, reduce pain and improve overall quality of life. Prescription during and post pregnancy supports the healthy growth of a baby and promote recovery post birth.

Exercise medicine prescription is an important tool used for the prescription of 
mental illness including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The recognition of mental and physical health combined is important for exercise medicine intervention.

Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of conditions caused by abdominal obesity. Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol may result. Metabolic Syndrome increases the risk, prevalence and development of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Type 1: An autoimmune disease resulting in the self-destruction of the pancreatic 
beta-cells, causing insulin deficiency (Colberg, et al. 2016).

Type 2: A progressive lifestyle disease where the body is unable to produce enough or is resistant to insulin, effecting how the body is able to process glucose.

The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) calls for exercise to be embedded as part of standard practice in cancer care and to be viewed as an adjunct therapy that helps counteract the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment.