It's World Physical Activity Day, a date established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to remember the importance of movement for the health of people and communities. Regular physical activity contributes to preventing and helping to treat non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer, as well as benefiting mental health, quality of life and well-being.
Promoting physical activity is promoting public health. In a context marked by sedentary lifestyles and the growing weight of chronic diseases, it is important to emphasise that all physical activity counts and that starting, even with small amounts, is better than doing nothing.
Physiotherapists, as health professionals specialising in the movement system, play an important role in promoting safe, appropriate and sustainable physical activity. Their intervention is particularly important when there are risk factors, pain, functional limitations, chronic illness or the need to adapt exercise to each person's condition. Physiotherapists are qualified to promote, guide, prescribe and manage physical activity and exercise suitable for different people and contexts.
Functional movement, safely and without pain, is central to health, autonomy and participation in social life. That's why promoting physical activity isn't just about encouraging healthy lifestyles: it's also about creating the conditions for more people to be able to integrate movement into their daily lives, in a realistic, progressive way that suits their abilities.
On this World Physical Activity Day, the Order of Physiotherapists reaffirms that through movement, we promote better health and emphasises the importance of integrating physical activity into policies and practices to promote health, prevent disease and improve quality of life.