Exercise is Medicine: From an Aphorism to an Aspirational Global Initiative

¹Independent Scholar, Lahore-54792, Pakistan

²Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Practice, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

³Physical Therapist, Hameed Latif Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: Prof. Iqbal Akhtar Khan, MBBS, DTM, FACTM, PhD, Independent Scholar, Lahore 54792, Pakistan, ORCID: 0000-0002-2363-9486, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: July 09, 2025

Published Date: September 16, 2025

Citation: Khan IA, et al. (2025). Exercise is Medicine: From an Aphorism to an Aspirational Global Initiative. Mathews J Sports Med. 4(1):11.

Copyrights: Khan IA, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

Whereas the famous aphorism “Exercise is Medicine” has been attributed to Hippocrates, credence goes to Christobal Mendez for coining the lofty term “Blessed Medicine” for this speciality. With tremendous developments in the field of medicine, the concept of "Exercise is Medicine" has gained renewed importance in addressing modern health challenges, including the global epidemic of physical inactivity with resultant burden of chronic diseases. This article explores the historical perspectives, physiological underpinnings, and contemporary relevance of exercise as a cornerstone of health promotion and disease management. It examines the therapeutic application of tailored exercise prescriptions, and the potential risks of over-exercising. Evidence highlights the transformative power of integrating exercise into routine healthcare practices, requiring a multi-sectoral approach for effective advocacy and implementation.

Keywords: Exercise, Physical Activity, Sedentary Lifestyle, Physical Inactivity, Therapeutic Exercise, Chronic Diseases, Disease Prevention.