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Because
nearly two thirds of Americans - over 131 million people -
are inactive and overweight, many severely obese, physicians
are being asked to write prescriptions for exercise. The fitness
profession is uniting to help them, reports the National Board
of Fitness Examiners (NBFE). Santa Barbara, Ca (PRWEB) February
24, 2004 -- Personal trainers and health clubs will see a
dramatic increase in referrals coming from medical doctors
over the next decade, announced the National Board of Fitness
Examiners (NBFE).
Because
nearly two thirds of Americans - over 131 million people -
are inactive and overweight, and many more are severely obese,
physicians are being asked to write prescriptions for exercise,
and the fitness profession is uniting to help them. According
to a recent report published in the archives of Internal Medicine,
Dr. JoAnn Manson the Chief of Preventive Medicine at Harvard's
Bringham and Women's Hospital said, "We're treating the
symptoms of the diseases rather than the root cause."
Because inactivity and obesity are responsible for at least
300,000 premature deaths and over $90 billion in health care
costs each year, this new "call to action" to write
prescriptions for exercise can help change patients' ways
the report says.While doctors will start writing prescriptions
for exercise, the fitness profession is preparing to help.
Properly trained personal trainers are experts in this
area. Weight training, aerobic conditioning, flexibility,
and a sensible diet are the keys to preventing and even reversing
many chronic diseases - what fitness professionals have
been teaching for years. Until now, there have been no standards
in the fitness profession and as a result few physicians refer
to personal trainers. Because over 200 certification companies
offer education to personal trainers, it is difficult for
the medical community to know who is providing the right advice.
In response to the lack of regulations and standards, in 2003
the National Board of Fitness Examiners was commissioned to
do just that; demonstrate to the public and the medical community
that all Board certified fitness professionals undergo unbiased,
criteria-referenced, nationally approved examinations that
ensures standardized levels of competency. Successful completion
of the National Boards not only assures competency, but will
eventually lead to licensing, a process recognized by the
medical community. "Because this model to determine individual
competency has been used successfully by physicians since
1915, the National Board wants to assure the public and the
doctors that they can confidently refer patients to Board
Certified fitness professionals," said Dr. Sal Arria,
Executive Director of the National Board of Fitness Examiners
(NBFE).
"Unfortunately,
our country is in the worst shape ever, so we applaud
physicians for taking a positive stance towards prescribing
exercise ... the health and quality of life for literally
millions of people rests in their hands. Exercise has been
proven as the most powerful disease prevention tool of all,"
said Dr. Arria. "And best of all, the side effect of
prescribing weight training, aerobic conditioning, flexibility
and sensible nutrition is not only that patients will live
longer, but the quality of their lives will be dramatically
improved," Dr. Arria stated. National Board Certified
personal trainers and health clubs are in a perfect position
to help physicians address the 80% of Americans who don't
use trainers or go to gyms. "As more and more physicians
start writing prescriptions for exercise, the fitness industry
can expect explosive growth over the next five to ten years,"
Dr. Arria finished.
About
NBFE: The National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) is a
not-for-profit organization, founded in 2003 to ensure to
the public that qualified fitness professionals who have successfully
passed the National Board examinations have achieved an approved
level of competency in the health and fitness industry.
About Personal Training: Personal training is an excellent
career choice for individuals who understand the importance
of exercise and have the desire to help others. There are
several Fitness Education companies offering personal training
certification courses. Some of the most popular include; American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Council on Exercise
(ACE), Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA),
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), National
Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Strength and Conditioning
Association (NSCA) and the Cooper Institute.
used
by permission
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