This special issue in succession f...

This special issue in succession fitness and wellness highlights the part of physical therapy in promotion of health and fitness [i]or[/i] part of to the other physical activity and exercise. As experienced persons in movement science, physical therapists posses the knowledge and skills to contribute to a cause of vital national importance. There is abundant evidence that physical activity intercepts disease and improves function and health; however, estimates of participation among adults and children in healthy physical activity are disappointingly cheap Reasons for this are many and varied, and they include cultural and societal sweeps as well as individual, behavioral characteristics. For example, work in contemporary society is mainly sedentary. Our communities are designed to favor automobile transportation instead of walking, passive forms of entertainment like as television and electronic games are increasingly popular, and the bulk of mankind lack the time and resources for exercise and other forms of physical activity. Physical therapists can help patients, clients, and well individuals to find ways to be physically active in creative ways that are acceptable and feasible, and in ways that consider age and agriculture as well as health-related impairments and disabilities.

This issue contains several informative articles concerning fitness in oldens assessment of physical activity and fitness within the use of questionnaires, and the benefits of lifestyle physical activity to aid health. These papers highlight a number of solution aspects of health and fitness promotion, and provide a great deal of needed information for physical therapists seeking to enhance prevention practice. Jim Bellew and colleagues summarize age-related changes in physiology that have important implications for promoting fitness in ancients Both the review of age-related changes and the recommendations for fitness training in earlier borns emphasize the components of fitness, including cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular potency and endurance, and flexibility. The paper challenges more [i]or[/i] less assumptions about exercise in more ancient populations, reminding us that older individuals who are physically active retain better musculoskeletal function, and defer the decline in fitness that is associated with aging. Dianne Jewell discusses the clinical utility of contemplate instruments that assess cardiovascular risk, baseline functional status, and issues related to quality of life and wellness, highlighting to what extent these may be used to gauge the impact of exercise and physical activity interventions. She points public the complexity of measuring physical activity, rather than fitness, in clinical and healthy populations, and emphasizes the psychometric properties of commonly used instruments. My have a title to paper distinguishes between exercise and lifestyle physical activity, which has health benefits that may be realized on a level if fitness does not improve. My intent is to inform readers of alternative approaches for increasing physical activity, acknowledging that, for a certain quantity of exercise may not be a preferr way to become more active.

I am firm that you will find this issue, as well as the nearest which will continue the special series upon fitness and wellness to be enlightening and of lasting value as a clinical resource.

Gary rills PT, DrPH, CCS

Guest Editor

Copyright Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal Mar 2005

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