Role of the Nigerian Healthcare Professionals in Promoting Health and Wellness through Physical Activity

Abstract

In Nigeria, awareness on the benefits of exercise is increasing among the populace, but the desired collaboration and commitment of the healthcare professionals is lacking. With a great proportion of the population attending healthcare services in health facilities, health professionals have a unique opportunity to increase exercise prevalence and use it as a tool for medication. This paper highlighted three key roles expected from healthcare professionals in Nigeria regarding physical activity: 1) offer advise or recommend physical activity 2) assess physical activity in each patient’s visit, and or 3) conclude each visit with exercise prescription or referral to an exercise professional. To achieve this professional task, the researchers recommended that relevant professional bodies, such as the Health Promotion Research Association of Nigeria (HEPRAN) should collaborate to produce a working guideline for health professionals in Nigeria to use in exercise delivery. Other recommendations include professional certification of exercise specialists to ensure professionalism in exercise delivery; joint conferences that will provide opportunities for various specialists to discuss issues, progress and challenges in exercise delivery and ensure professional registration and monitoring of fitness and sports centers across the country.