How clinicians discuss activity may matter
-
By
-
Andrea Surnit
-
August 18, 2026
-
4 min
Clinical Report: How clinicians discuss activity may matter
Background
Engaging patients with chronic medical conditions in physical activity is crucial for improving health outcomes. Many patients struggle to meet recommended activity levels.
Data Highlights
No specific numerical data or trial data presented in the article.
Key Findings
- Patients with chronic conditions may find it difficult to meet the WHO target of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.
- Increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by 5 minutes per day could prevent 10% of all deaths among participants, except the most active 20%.
- Self-monitoring and behavioral goal setting are associated with improved readiness to become more active.
- Wearable devices can increase overall activity by 1,235 steps per day and moderate-to-vigorous activity by approximately 49 minutes per week over 12 weeks.
- Social support contributes to maintaining physical activity levels.
- Effective communication about physical activity should acknowledge barriers and frame activity as an opportunity rather than a burden.
Clinical Implications
Discussions about physical activity should be adapted to each patient's context and needs.
Conclusion
Effective communication strategies are essential for helping patients with chronic conditions engage in physical activity.
Related Resources & Content
- The ASCO Post, 2019 -- Oncology Clinicians Play A Role in Telling Patients About the Importance of Exercise
- The New Gastroenterologist, 2025 -- Approaches to Address Lifestyle Changes in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
- The ASCO Post, 2026 -- Two-Pronged Reminders Result in Timely Conversations Around Priorities of Cancer Care
- JMIR Medical Informatics — Clinician Perspectives on Ambient AI Scribes in the Intensive Care Unit: Qualitative Interview Study
- UK Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines
- Recommendation: Healthy Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Behavioral Counseling Interventions
- 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke
- Identifying Patients at Risk for Cardiometabolic and Chronic Diseases by Using the Exercise Vital Sign to Screen for Physical Inactivity
- Effectiveness of behavioural interventions with motivational interviewing on physical activity outcomes in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis | The BMJ
- Are physical activity referral scheme components associated with increased physical activity, scheme uptake, and adherence rate? A meta-analysis and meta-regression | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity | Springer Nature Link
- Daily steps and health outcomes in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis - The Lancet Public Health
- Objectively measured daily steps and health outcomes: an umbrella review of the systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies | BMJ Open
- Time- vs Step-Based Physical Activity Metrics for Health | Cardiology | JAMA Internal Medicine | JAMA Network
- Recommendations | Physical activity: brief advice for adults in primary care | Guidance | NICE
- How GPs approach physical activity discussion in routine care: a qualitative study of video-recorded consultations - PubMed
- Priority setting of healthcare provider barriers and facilitators to supporting patient physical activity in rheumatology: a nominal group technique study - PMC
Based on findings from:
How clinicians discuss activity may matter
Andrea Surnit. MDSpire News, 2026.
https://news.mdspire.com/family-medicine/articles/how-clinicians-discuss-activity-may-matter/
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
