Medicine
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Queensland Health recommends that clients consult with a medical practitioner prior to following these physical activity guidelines, particularly where they have been previously inactive, have heart disease or close relatives with heart disease, are pregnant or have other major health problems.
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Distribute age-specific information sheets of available physical activity options eg. aquarobics.
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Encourage a variety of activities eg. walking the dog, swimming, team sport, incidental activity.
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Encourage obese patients to reduce their weight prior to operation. Ensure support for doing this is provided.
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Encourage patients to walk and mobilise themselves as soon as possible after operations.
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Encourage patients to walk to the shops or work instead of driving.
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Encourage patients to walk, and keep walking.
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Organise a family day and other major events to encourage patients to go out in the open.
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Provide a gymnasium at the hospital and promote exercise classes during office hours.
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Provide a list of community health options on the ward.
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Refer to the morbidity and mortality associated with a sedentary lifestyle eg. increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
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Remind patients that they need movement and physical activity - it doesn’t have to be in a structured gym setting.
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Suggest patients exercise in groups (eg. family, friends, gym setting, lawn bowls, golf, yoga, and other organised groups) so that they are motivated to participate.
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Suggest patients form a ‘contract’ with their activity partner/s, eg. the first one to stop exercising has to give the other a pedicure.
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