With the slogan "Lead the Movement!", family physicians gathered at the Wyndham Kalamış Hotel in Istanbul on December 13-14, 2014 to launch the first 'Physical Activity Leadership Program'.
In this first meeting of the 'Physical Activity Leadership Program', which was held with the participation of 43 physicians from different provinces of Turkey, the 'Exercise is Medicine Program', which is being implemented in many countries, was also launched.
"We set out to lead the movement and we came together with our physicians who volunteered as Physical Activity Leaders to create a more active Turkey. I would like to emphasize that with the help of our leaders, we have the opportunity to share our messages to the population of approximately 170,000 people that they come into contact with, that physical activity should be adopted as a part of daily life and that there is a type of physical activity suitable for everyone. We have a lot of work to do together with our leaders, whose number will increase every day."
During the two-day program, Prof. Dr. Haydar Demirel, who was with the leaders, shared physical activity recommendations for different profiles and introduced the Exercise is Medicine Program. Emphasizing the importance of prescribing physical activity like a medicine as part of treatment, Demirel summarized that there is a type of physical activity suitable for each profile with the following words: "It is not necessary to wear sportswear and walk on hiking trails to do physical activity. A regular walk on the way to work is also physical activity."
Leaders created the Physical Activity Leaders Manifesto!
The physical activity leaders divided into groups and discussed four different topics; how physical activity should be communicated among family physicians, how physical activity should be transferred to individuals, what should be the working principles of the Exercise is Medicine promotion team, and how physical activity can find a place in the busy agenda of family physicians, and created the Physical Activity Leaders Manifesto.
Physical Activity Leaders on a morning walk!
Physical activity leaders walked and exercised accompanied by trainers at the event held on the beach. In a tent, the leaders shared their physical activity suggestions with the residents and offered green apples to the walkers.
What did the leaders say about the Physical Activity Leadership Program, which 92% of the participants rated as very successful?
It was the most successful organization I have ever been to, including the national congresses I have attended.
Dr. Emel Öztürk / Eskişehir
I feel very lucky to have participated in the Physical Activity Leadership Program. I have been thinking for a while that exercise should become a part of the culture of society. I am very happy to know that there is a team that thinks about this issue and carries out studies. Exercise is a need, exercise is a culture.
Dr. Nilüfer Aktura / Istanbul
Educators :
Prof.Dr.Haydar Demirel (Dean of Hacettepe Univ. Faculty of Sport Sciences): Physical Activity Recommendations for Different Profiles
Prof. Dr. Yavuz Sanisoğlu (Yıldırım Beyazıt Univ. Vice Rector): Research Techniques and Biostatistics
Nihal Şirin (Trainer, author, presenter): Communication skills
You can access the training kit for family physicians here.