학술논문

The need for biokineticists in the South African public health care system
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
South African Journal of Sports Medicine. September, 2016, Vol. 28 Issue 3, p85, 2 p.
Subject
Health
Type 2 diabetes -- Risk factors
Public sector
Primary health care
Language
English
ISSN
1015-5163
Abstract
Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly prevalent within South Africa. Physical inactivity is a significant, independent and modifiable risk factor increasing the prevalence of NCDs. Discussion: The integration of physical activity programmes into the primary health care system through multidisciplinary platforms is thus advocated for and envisioned to be more cost-effective than current practices. However, currently within the primary health care setting of South Africa, there is an absence of health care professionals adequately equipped to develop and implement physical activity programmes. Biokineticists, whose scope of practice is to improve physical functioning and health through exercise as a modality, are ideally suited to developing and implementing physical activity programmes in the public sector. Yet despite their evident demand, the role of the biokineticist is not incorporated into the national public health care system. Conclusion: This short report calls firstly, for the inclusion of biokinetics into the public health care sector, and secondly, for the funding of multidisciplinary community health programmes supporting education, healthy eating and physical activity levels. Keywords/ noncommunicable disease, physical activity, community health programme, primary health care S Afr J Sports Med 2016;28(3):85-86.DOI: 10.17159/2078516X/2016/v28i3a1310
Noncommunicable diseases and physical inactivity One in two South Africans are physically inactive [1], a statistic which urgently needs to be addressed and managed to curb the rampant increase in [...]