Would you like to know more about APA (adapted physical activity) or sports on prescription? Its main purpose is to reduce the risk factors associated with chronic diseases, also called long-term illnesses (ALD), and to prevent the onset or aggravation of illnesses.
We know that a sedentary lifestyle often leads to health problems. Practicing regular physical activity is an essential factor in avoiding the complications of ailments and reducing the adverse effects of medications. I’WHAT is a therapeutic method that uses physical exercise to prevent and treat health problems or functional limitations.
The APA is intended for patients suffering from long-term pathologies such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), cancers, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, peripheral osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression, aging disorders, etc.
What are the benefits of APA?
Adapted physical activity (APA) allows:
- to prevent the complications of certain chronic diseases;
- to improve the quality of life of patients, their physical and mental state, their body image;
- promote their autonomy;
- to prevent the risk of relapses of certain pathologies;
- to fight against a sedentary lifestyle;
- to reduce the harmful risks of the treatments.
What are the conditions for prescribing and dispensing APA?
The APA is intended for people unable to practice physical or sporting activities independently and in safety. It can be prescribed for children, adults, the elderly or people with disabilities. APA is prescribed by the attending physician who completes a specific form in which he specifies the therapeutic objectives and contraindications specific to the patient.
A structured program is provided by a health professional (physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychomotor therapist, sports practice technician, etc.). They work in healthcare establishments, but also in associations or sports clubs. The APA must be adapted to the specificities of the disease, but also to the needs and desires of the patient. The healthcare professional regularly sends a report to the prescribing doctor and gives a copy to the patient. The sessions are not reimbursed by Medicare but can be covered by certain mutual insurance companies. Some ABS programs may be partly funded or co-funded by local partners.
What are the different APAs?
Any physical activity can be an APA provided it is supervised by a professional and adapted to the pathology of the person: walking, jogging, gentle gymnastics, Qi Gong, muscle strengthening, swimming, cycling, yoga… In general, whatever whatever your age, you have to take care to introduce as much physical activity as possible into your daily life: take the stairs rather than the elevator, walk rather than take the bus or get off two stops early…