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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine

Physical Activity Consultation Framework for Primary Care Providers

  • Paolo Capodaglio1,2
  • Luca Cavaggioni3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, La Statale University, Milan, Italy (P C)
  2. 2UOC Riabilitazione Muscoloscheletrica e Metabolica, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy (P C)
  3. 3Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy (L C)
  4. 4Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Obesity Unit - Laboratory of Nutrition and Obesity Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy (L C)
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Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is vital for managing chronic diseases, yet it remains under-prescribed in primary care. This commentary argues that translating PA guidelines into clinical practice requires a pragmatic, patient-centred approach. Rather than focussing exclusively on traditional PA recommendations, primary care providers should encourage reducing sedentary behaviour and integrating daily movement through short bouts of activity (“PA snacks”). We propose a simple consultation framework to help primary care providers deliver personalized advice, set progressive goals, and conduct follow-ups. Often, primary care providers represent the first healthcare contact and are uniquely positioned to initiate behavioural change, identify inactive individuals, and refer patients to qualified exercise professionals for long-term management. Integrating brief PA counselling into routine visits, combined with multidisciplinary collaboration, may help overcome adherence barriers and establish PA as a sustainable, scalable, and effective clinical intervention.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{capodaglio2026physical,
  title = {{Physical Activity Consultation Framework for Primary Care Providers}},
  author = {Paolo Capodaglio and Luca Cavaggioni},
  journal = {American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1177/15598276261495518},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276261495518},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Physical Activity Consultation Framework for Primary Care Providers
AU  - Paolo Capodaglio
AU  - Luca Cavaggioni
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/04
JO  - American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
DO  - 10.1177/15598276261495518
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276261495518
AB  - Physical activity (PA) is vital for managing chronic diseases, yet it remains under-prescribed in primary care. This commentary argues that translating PA guidelines into clinical practice requires a pragmatic, patient-centred approach. Rather than focussing exclusively on traditional PA recommendations, primary care providers should encourage reducing sedentary behaviour and integrating daily movement through short bouts of activity (“PA snacks”). We propose a simple consultation framework to help primary care providers deliver personalized advice, set progressive goals, and conduct follow-ups. Often, primary care providers represent the first healthcare contact and are uniquely positioned to initiate behavioural change, identify inactive individuals, and refer patients to qualified exercise professionals for long-term management. Integrating brief PA counselling into routine visits, combined with multidisciplinary collaboration, may help overcome adherence barriers and establish PA as a sustainable, scalable, and effective clinical intervention.
SN  - 1559-8276
SN  - 1559-8284
ER  -