Occupational Therapists Beware: Physical Activity Guidelines can Mislead

Abstract

In response to widespread public health promotions, many health professionals have sought to deliver physical activity advice. Occupational therapists are well positioned to contribute to clients' adoption of physically active lifestyles. Employing a client-centred approach that incorporates meaningful activity into lifestyle patterns, occupational therapists collaborate with other health professionals and have the advantage of consulting within clients' occupational settings. Those without an academic grounding in exercise science are typically reliant upon published physical activity guidelines as a primary source of information. It is suggested that these guidelines have limitations that occupational therapists need to consider carefully when providing physical activity guidance.