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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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Assist clients to set goals. For example, request patients record details including dates, venues, length of time, type of activity, etc.
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Coordinate a walking group.
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Determine how active the clients are already, the activities in which they’re involved, and how often they engage in them. From this, provide advice as necessary.
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Display posters throughout the hospitals, gyms, sporting organisations, etc. to promote physical activity.
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Educate and expose the clients to the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults and for Children and Young People.
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Encourage clients to make time - planning is a high priority.
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Encourage clients to form groups or partnerships for exercising, so they don’t need to walk alone.
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An idea for mums is to have an exercise group where each takes turns to mind babies/children while the others exercise.
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Encourage clients to take a dog for a walk.
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Encourage corporate groups to exercise/be physically active together.
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Encourage independence in activities of daily living, and avoidance of time frame restrictions.
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Encourage mobility in the hospital when appropriate.
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Encourage participation in community programs, such as Just Walk It.
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Encourage people to start physical activity at a young age.
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Ensure feedback is included as part of the program.
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Ensure the client's doctors are involved and knowledgeable.
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Explain to all clients the benefits of exercise/physical activity, and the risks of a sedentary lifestyle.
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For those slowly returning to sport (eg. from injuries), provide ways to encourage initiative and strategies to cope.
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If a person finds it hard to start, remind them to start out easy, at their own level. For example, they could just drive to a park and walk around that.
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If possible offer an incentive program where points are accumulated for set walking distances and courses.
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If walking for longer distances is not an option, consider alternatives such as "sit to stand" exercises with lots of repetitions.
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Include aerobic exercise as part of treatment for all clients.
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Include education about the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults and for Children and Young People as a message when the clients are put on hold on the telephone.
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Include physical activity hints and ideas on the handout appointment slips.
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Inform clients of where they can ride a bike, and the location of showers and change facilities for afterwards.
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Involve clients' families in the exercise programs.
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Keep any advice and programs realistic.
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Provide clients with ideas about how they can follow the guidelines, with consideration to their mobility/level of disability.
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Record client progress/achievements to maintain motivation.
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Refer clients to simple and user-friendly resources, such as appropriate books, websites, etc.
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Teach clients how to monitor their heart rate, or how to use the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) test. This can assist to alleviate any fears they may have with regard to exercise.
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Use a pedometer to record steps per day – just doing this can motivate people to do more.
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Use posters with ‘real-life’ examples (of previously sedentary clients who have started to enjoy physical activity) to inspire people to follow their example.
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