Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of disease summarizes the up-todate scientific knowledge on how to prevent and treat various diseases and conditions using physical activity. The book covers most areas of disease where physical activity has a documented effect. By combining recommendations on suitable exercise activities with a description of the potential risks of physical activity for various patient groups, this handbook can comprehensively be used by anyone working with physical activity and health.

Content:

Thirty-three chapters address the effects of and recommendations of physical activity in diseases and conditions within cardiovascular and metabolic medicine, psychiatry, orthopaedics, neurology, astro-intestinal medicine, nephrology, rheumatology, pulmonary medicine and more.

Also, fourteen general chapters deal with:

• General effects of physical activity

• General recommendations regarding physical activity

• Promoting physical activity

• Becoming physically active

• Motivational interviewing about physical activity

• Assessing and controlling physical activity

• Various types of physical activity and exercise

• Health aspects of strength training

• Infections and sports

• Sports and sudden death

• Children and young people

• Pregnancy

• Menopause

• Elderly

The handbook is especially tailored to be a tool for licensed healthcare staff when prescribing physical activity and the method is currently used by all county councils in Sweden as well as Norway. The book is also useful for physical activity organisers working with physical activity on prescription and for educational institutions, such as colleges and universities that focus on health sciences and public health.