Exercise is Medicine® Australia celebrates 10 year anniversary

21 May 2021


Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) is a global initiative lead by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) with EIM® Australia managed by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

This week we celebrate 10 years of Exercise is Medicine® Australia, with the official launch at Olympic Park in Sydney, NSW being held on the 20 May 2011.

“Australia was one of the first countries to join the EIM initiative,” says Anita Hobson-Powell, ESSA Chief Executive Officer.

“It was about driving home one key message – If we had a pill that captured all the confirmed health benefits of exercise, would we not do everything humanly possible to see to it that everyone had access to this wonder drug?”

The primary aim of EIM® Australia is to encourage physical activity or exercise that is sustained for the long-term. EIM® Australia encourages general practitioners, practice nurses and allied health professionals to make a physical activity or exercise assessment a part of their interaction with every patient, every visit.

“EIM® Australia and ESSA are focused on ensuring these health care professionals’ patients are counselled on their exercise routines and provided with an exercise prescription or a referral to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist or Accredited Exercise Scientist.”

Over the last 10 years, the importance of physical activity and exercise on our physical and mental health has grown significantly in Australia. This was especially seen throughout COVID-19 when the government declared physical activity and exercise was “essential” during the pandemic.

“As more Australians turn to exercise as a way to manage and treat their health and well-being, this has seen an increased need for general practitioners and health professionals to be educated on how to assess their patient’s physical activity levels and refer onwards accordingly – this is where EIM® Australia is so vital to the Australian health care landscape,” adds Anita.

To promote the benefits of physical activity and exercise, EIM® Australia provides resources to assist health care providers assess their patient’s current physical activity levels. These resources also help to educate the health care providers and patients alike on the role that exercise has in the prevention, treatment, and management of chronic conditions as well as referral processes in Australia.

“As we look forward to another 10+ years of EIM® Australia educating our Australian health professionals on the benefits of encouraging and prescribing exercise, I’d like to thank every person who has been involved in this journey, especially our EIM® Australia National Advisory Council Members.”

Visit the EIM® Australia website today: http://exerciseismedicine.com.au/