Is a Health Care Evaluation Necessary Before Augmenting Ones Current Physical Activity Practices?
Evidence that persons who consult with a health care provider before increasing their physical activity receive more benefits or suffer fewer adverse effects than persons who do not is not available. Also unknown is the extent to which official recommendations to seek medical advice before augmenting one’s regular physical activity practices may reduce participation in regular moderate physical activity by implying that being active may be less safe and provide fewer benefits than being inactive (78). Recent recommendations have suggested that asymptomatic men and women who plan sensible increases in light to moderate physical activity do not need to consult a health care provider before doing so (36;81). Others, generally concurring with the safety of small increases in light to moderate activity, have recommended that “previously inactive” men aged 40 years and older, women age 50 years and older, and people who have chronic disease or risk factors for chronic disease should consult
