Evidence-based exercise prescription: raising the standard of delivery

Abstract

This article represents the deliberations that took place at the June 2011 meeting of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) during a panel that was convened to discuss ‘Evidence-based Exercise Prescription: Raising the Standard of Delivery’. The panel consisted of five physical therapists and one exercise physiologist. After introductory remarks by the panel chair, each of the other participants was given the opportunity to do an opening presentation. Several questions (Should physical therapists be exercise experts? Are physical therapists truly the exercise experts they should be? Has physical therapist education prepared them to be exercise experts?) were then posed to the panelists for their response. After those responses, the floor was opened up to the audience for response and input. A verbatim transcript of the proceedings enabled audience participation to be reflected.

Keywords:

• Physical therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Exercise prescription
• Physical therapist education
• Physiotherapist education
• Exercise experts
• Exercise
• Physical activity