The implications of evidence-based practice on physical activity
1. Introduction:
Evidence-based practice is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients (Sackett et al., 1996). The aim of this essay is to explore the health and welfare implications of evidence-based practice with a particular focus on physical activity.
2. What is evidence-based practice?
There are many changes that have been proposed concerning the best practice or alternatives for treating patients since health is a very sensitive issue. The proposal of evidence-based practice has been seen as a way to help make these changes by providing a structure and framework to support clinicians in making decisions (Haidet & Peeples, 2002).
A fundamental element of evidence-based practice is the use of the best available evidence to make clinical decisions. This best evidence can come from a variety of sources including research, clinical experience, and patient preferences and values. In order to make the best decision possible, it is important to consider all of these different sources of evidence.
In order to be able to critically appraise the evidence, it is important to have an understanding of study design and statistics. This will allow you to understand how strong the evidence is and whether or not it can be applied to your own clinical practice.
3. The benefits of physical activity
There are many benefits associated with physical activity. Some of these include improved fitness, weight loss, reduced stress levels, improved mental health, and increased energy levels. Physical activity can also help to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis. For people who already have chronic diseases, physical activity can help to manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
4. The role of the community in promoting physical activity
The community has a vital role to play in promoting physical activity. By creating environments that are conducive to physical activity, such as parks and walking trails, the community can make it easier for people to be active. Community groups and organisations can also provide opportunities for people to be active through activities such as sport, dance, and exercise classes.
5. The role of women in promoting physical activity
Women have a key role to play in promoting physical activity. As mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, women are often the primary caretakers in families and they play a vital role in influencing the health behaviours of those around them. Women can also promote physical activity through their involvement in community groups and organisations.
6. The role of small children in promoting physical activity
Small children also have an important role to play in promoting physical activity. By encouraging children to be active from an early age, they will be more likely to carry these habits into adulthood. There are many ways that parents and caregivers can encourage children to be active such as taking them for walks, playing active games with them, and enrolling them in sports teams or dancing classes.
7. Cardiovascular risks and benefits of physical activity
Regular physical activity has both risks and benefits for cardiovascular health. The risks associated with physical activity include an increased heart rate and blood pressure. These risks are generally only present if you are not used to being physically active or if you have underlying cardiovascular problems. However, there are also many benefits associated with being physically active including improved blood circulation, reduced blood pressure, and improved heart function.
8. Disease occurrence and physical activity
There is evidence to suggest that physical activity can help to reduce the occurrence of many chronic diseases. For example, regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis. Physical activity can also help to manage the symptoms of many chronic diseases and slow down their progression.
9. Study design and outcome measures
When critically appraising the evidence, it is important to consider the study design and outcome measures. The type of study design will affect the strength of the evidence and the types of conclusions that can be drawn. For example, observational studies can show an association between two factors but they cannot prove that one factor causes the other. Randomised controlled trials are considered to be the gold standard in research as they can provide strong evidence for cause and effect relationships. The outcome measures should also be considered as different types of outcomes will provide different types of information. For example, self-reported measures such as surveys can give information on behaviours or attitudes but they cannot provide information on clinical outcomes such as mortality rates.
10. Conclusion
Evidence-based practice is a framework that can be used to make decisions about the care of individual patients. It is based on the use of the best available evidence to make clinical decisions. This best evidence can come from a variety of sources including research, clinical experience, and patient preferences and values. In order to make the best decision possible, it is important to consider all of these different sources of evidence.