A Discussion on Different Approaches for Prescribing Physical Interventions - Four Roads Lead to Rome, but Which One Should We Choose?

Fabian Herold; Alexander Törpel; Dennis Hamacher; Henning Budde; Thomas Gronwald

doi:10.3390/jpm10030055

A Discussion on Different Approaches for Prescribing Physical Interventions - Four Roads Lead to Rome, but Which One Should We Choose?

J Pers Med. 2020 Jun 27;10(3):55. doi: 10.3390/jpm10030055.

Authors

Fabian Herold^{1

2}, Alexander Törpel³, Dennis Hamacher⁴, Henning Budde⁵, Thomas Gronwald⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
² Research Group Neuroprotection, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
³ German Swimming Federation, Korbacher Straße 93, 34132 Kassel, Germany.
⁴ German University for Health and Sports, (DHGS), Vulkanstraße 1, 10367 Berlin, Germany.
⁵ Faculty of Human Sciences, MSH Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany.
⁶ Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Performance, Neuroscience, Therapy and Health, MSH Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany.

Abstract

It is well recognized that regular physical exercise has positive effects on physical and mental health. To use the beneficial health effects of physical exercise, there are worldwide movements encouraging health care providers to include physical exercise in their care and treatments strategies. However, a crucial point in administering the "exercise polypill" is the dosing and, in turn, the prescription of the physical intervention (PI). In this perspective article, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to prescribe PI. In this context, we also highlight outstanding questions and potential areas of opportunity for further investigations.

Keywords: dose; exercise prescription; interindividual heterogeneity; physical activity; physical exercise; physical training.