American College of Sports Medicine, Coca-Cola bring free online exercise toolkit to patients

ATLANTA To help make it easier for consumers to stick to an exercise regimen, the American College of Sports Medicine, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, has launched the Exercise is Medicine Public Toolkit patient program.

The “medicine cabinet” of physical activity tools will help consumers plan their exercise regimen, track it and stick to it more easily.

Exercise is Medicine was initially introduced to physicians nationwide in 2007 with a goal of increasing patient-physician dialogue around the importance of physical fitness. It encourages doctors to assess and review every patient’s physical activity levels at each checkup, the same way other vital signs like blood pressure and cholesterol are recorded.

“Exercise is Medicine encourages consumers to speak with their physicians about an appropriate level of exercise to help achieve and maintain good health,” said Celeste Bottorff, VP, Living Well, Coca-Cola North America. “A healthy lifestyle that includes a sensible, balanced diet combined with regular physical activity is an essential ‘prescription’ for balanced living that can include all foods and beverages.”

The free downloadable “Public Toolkit,” available at www.exerciseismedicine.org, includes step-by-step instructions for consumers to work with a health care provider to determine the right dose of exercise. Patients can use the kit’s “Dear Health Care Professional” letter to ask their doctor to review and record their physical activity as part of a comprehensive visit.

The program promotion will coincide with National Physical Fitness Month, which occurs in May.