Charter to establish clinical exercise physiology as a recognised allied health profession in the UK: a call to action

Helen Jones; Keith P George; Andrew Scott; John P Buckley; Paula M Watson; David L Oxborough; Dick H Thijssen; Lee E F Graves; Greg P Whyte; Gordon McGregor; Louise H Naylor; Michael Rosenberg; Christopher D Askew; Daniel J Green

doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001158

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Charter to establish clinical exercise physiology as a recognised allied health profession in the UK: a call to action

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Charter to establish clinical exercise physiology as a recognised allied health profession in the UK: a call to action

Helen Jones, Keith P George, Andrew Scott, John P Buckley, Paula M Watson, David L Oxborough, Dick H Thijssen, Lee E F Graves, Greg P Whyte, Gordon McGregor, …

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, Vol.7(3), pp.1-7

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001158

PMCID: PMC8458347

PMID: 34631147

Appears in Cancer Research Cluster Research Collection

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Abstract

Exercise physiology

Rehabilitation

Primary care

physical fitness

health care policy

cancer therapies

chronic illnesses

The UK population is growing, ageing and becoming increasingly inactive and unfit. Personalised and targeted exercise interventions are beneficial for ageing and the management of chronic and complex conditions. Increasing the uptake of effective exercise and physical activity (PA) interventions is vital to support a healthier society and decrease healthcare costs. Current strategies for exercise and PA at a population level mostly involve self-directed exercise pathways, delivered largely via the fitness industry. Even for those who opt-in and manage to achieve the current recommendations regarding minimum PA, this generic ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach often fails to demonstrate meaningful physiological and health benefits. Personalised exercise prescription and appropriate exercise testing, monitoring and progression of interventions for individuals with chronic disease should be provided by appropriately trained and recognised exercise healthcare professionals, educated in the cognate disciplines of exercise science (eg, physiology, biomechanics, motor control, psychology). This workforce has operated for >20 years in the Australian public and private healthcare systems. Accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs) are recognised allied health professionals, with demonstrable health and economic benefits. AEPs have knowledge of the risks and benefits of distinct forms of exercise, skills in the personalised prescription and optimal delivery of exercise, and competencies to support sustained PA behavioural change, based on the established scientific evidence. In this charter, we propose a road map for the training, accreditation and promotion of a clinical exercise physiology profession in the UK.

Details

Title: Charter to establish clinical exercise physiology as a recognised allied health profession in the UK: a call to action
Authors: Helen Jones (Author) - Liverpool John Moores University
Keith P George (Author) - Liverpool John Moores University
Andrew Scott (Author) - University of Portsmouth
John P Buckley (Author) - University of Chester
Paula M Watson (Author) - Liverpool John Moores University
David L Oxborough (Author) - Liverpool John Moores University
Dick H Thijssen (Author) - Radboud University Medical Center
Lee E F Graves (Author) - Liverpool John Moores University
Greg P Whyte (Author) - Liverpool John Moores University
Gordon McGregor (Author) - University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Louise H Naylor (Author) - The University of Western Australia
Michael Rosenberg (Author) - The University of Western Australia
Christopher D Askew (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Daniel J Green (Author) - The University of Western Australia
Publication details: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, Vol.7(3), pp.1-7
Publisher: B M J Group
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001158
ISSN: 2055-7647
PMID: 34631147; PMC8458347
Copyright note: Open access This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits others to copy, redistribute, remix, transform and build upon this work for any purpose, provided the original work is properly cited, a link to the licence is given, and indication of whether changes were made. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99583608902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences

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