Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) encourages health care providers to include exercise when designing treatment plans for patients. EIM is committed to the belief that exercise and physical activity are integral to the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and should be regularly assessed as part of medical care. Along with the National Physical Activity Plan, EIM strives to make physical activity a “vital sign” that is routinely assessed at every patient interaction with a health care provider.
Each May the ACSM family celebrates Exercise is Medicine Month by uniting to advocate for the integration of physical activity within clinical care, connecting patients and providers with evidence-based fitness resources.
Given current gym and community center closures as well as social distancing guidelines, EIM Month may look a little different at your facility, health system, campus or institution this year. That’s ok. What’s most important is reminding and encouraging people to be active while following current government guidelines. Consider using these Exercise is Medicine resources to promote maintaining an active routine during this period of isolation and stress.
Here are a few simple ways for you to participate in EIM Month:
- Individuals
- Follow these tips to stay active during COVID-19
- Share our COVID-19 and exercise resources through your social media accounts
- Follow EIM on Twitter and Facebook and share new resources with your network
- Sign up to receive monthly EIM updates and new resources
- Health Care Providers
- Share resources from EIM’s COVID-19 and Exercise webpage to help patients or clients stay active during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
- Listen to recent episodes of The Sports Medicine Checkup podcast by ACSM for discussions on the COVID-19 pandemic and work-life balance strategies to prevent physician burnout
- Use the EIM Rx Form to prescribe physical activity to your patients
- Share EIM’s Rx for Health Series handouts with patients to support your physical activity recommendations
- Review the Health Care Providers’ Action Guide to ensure you prescribe physical activity in the right dosage
- Health Fitness Professionals
- Expand your expertise by becoming an EIM Credentialed professional
- Check out our Exercise Professionals’ Action Guide for tips to implement EIM in your business or facility
- Access resources to support your clients in a virtual/online environment during the COVID-19 pandemic
- University / College Faculty
- Join our free EIM On Campus program and access tools to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health on your campus
- Already registered for EIM On Campus? Share EIM COVID-19 and exercise resources with your advisory team and students