Prescription of Physical Activity: A Paradigm Shift

Abstract

Despite the remarkable advances in our understanding of the many healthrelated benefits of physical activity, adherence ligures in formal exercise programs have continued to average about 50% over the past three decades. It is proposed in the present paper lhat a paradigm shift is needed since traditional exercise prescription models have been in effective. The proposed pafadigm shift calls for the adoption of (a) an idiographic approach as opposed to the conventional nomothetic model in place at the present time. (b) preferred exertion rather than a given percent of maximum in the prescription of exercise intensity. and (c) purposeful physical activity as opposed to the nonpurposeful approaches characteristic of many formal exercise programs. A summary of ten cases is presented, and this qualitative research reveals adherence figures ranging from 5 to 79 years. The remarkable adherence ol 100% is characterized by adoption of purposeful physical activity by these individuals.