Physical Activity Prescription Organization

Imagine coming to the doctor. Instead of sending you to a pharmacy to get your medication, the doctor tells you to go out for a run. It may sound strange, but this is reality in Sweden. Doctors can prescribe their patients so-called “physical activity on prescription” (FaR) – a program that is proven to be very effective in prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes or osteoporosis.

Story of Sweden 

FaR is the name of the idea created by The Swedish Professional Associations for Physical Activity (YFA) that patients can get the prescription of physical activity instead of/ along with other medication. Introduced in 2001, FaR is integrated in the program called “Sweden on the move” for promoting health and well-being. It gained popularity after patients indicated that they rather play sports than take drugs if it improves their health in the same way.

In a recently published article, Swedish researchers Raustorp and Sundberg describe how, physical activity level rises up among prescribed patients leading to the improvement of their health conditions. Maybe you can enter another number from the most important results here? Beside, the rate of adherence was high (65%) compared to the rate of medications. In 2010, 50000 prescriptions have been given, result in 1 out of 1000 total healthcare visits in Sweden.

The number of physical activity prescriptions is steadily increasing, but it takes time, warns Carl Johan Sundberg, professor and president of YFA. “It can be done but it takes time”.

Image 1. Professor Carl Johan Sundberg

Prospects for Vietnam

Sundberg is positive about the prospects of Vietnam introducing the sports on prescription program. “The development of FaR in Vietnam can be faster due to the higher economic growth rate. Things happen faster there.” Given the increasing financial burden of non-communicable diseases in the country a program like FaR would come at the right time. Sundberg: “FaR can definitely help to delay the growing rate of non-communicable diseases. But it should also come from the people – they have to move”.

Image 2. Vietnamese people do morning exercises

Dang Do Hai

Editor: Maike Winters