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Recently, a
novel telehealth program involving physical activity
promotion and counselling was created in British Columbia by
the CSEP Health & Fitness Program of BC under the direction
of Drs. Shannon Bredin and Darren Warburton. The development
of the Physical Activity Support Line has been made possible
through generous funding provided by the BC Ministry of
Healthy Living and Sport and the Public Health Agency of
Canada.
The vision of the Physical Activity Line is to be
Canada’s authoritative telephone resource for practical,
evidence-based physical activity information and advice; and
thereby, improve the health status of Canadians through
physical activity across the lifespan.
The Physical
Activity Line is a free resource for practical and trusted
physical activity and healthy living information. The
Physical Activity Support Line meets its objectives by:
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Providing
individualized first step and next step guidance to
becoming physically active to the public provided by
CSEP-Certified Exercise Physiologists
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Connecting with referral networks and community
resources for safe and optimal opportunities;
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Being a
comprehensive information resource for health
professionals, the media, recreation and education
communities, business and industry;
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Providing
tools for effective self-management and motivation.
The research and
development phase of the PAL is near completion and early
pilot testing is being conducted. All administrative staff
and phone operators (CSEP-Certified Exercise Physiologists)
are working at the Garrett Wellness Centre in Richmond (in
partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health). Extensive
resources have been created for the PAL staff and end-users
including the development of over 100 fact sheets regarding
physical activity and health for asymptomatic individuals
and various clinical populations from across the lifespan.
Please feel free to check out the Physical Activity Line
website (www.physicalactivityline.com)
or phone the toll-free number (1-877-725-1149) for further
information.
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