Gordon O. Matheson

Publication Details

• Responsibility of sport and exercise medicine in preventing and managing chronic disease: applying our knowledge and skill is overdue.

  Matheson GO, Klügl M, Dvorak J, Engebretsen L, Meeuwisse WH, Schwellnus M, Blair SN, van Mechelen W, Derman W, Börjesson M, Bendiksen F, Weiler R. Br J Sports Med. 2011; 45 (16): 1272-82

  The rapidly increasing burden of chronic disease is difficult to reconcile with the large, compelling body of literature that demonstrates the substantial preventive and therapeutic benefits of comprehensive lifestyle intervention, including physical activity, smoking cessation and healthy diet. Physical inactivity is now the fourth leading independent risk factor for death caused by non-communicable chronic disease. Although there have been efforts directed towards research, education and legislation, preventive efforts have been meager relative to the magnitude of the problem. The disparity between our scientific knowledge about chronic disease and practical implementation of preventive approaches now is one of the most urgent concerns in healthcare worldwide and threatens the collapse of our health systems unless extraordinary change takes place.

  PubMedID: 21948123