Using the exercise test to create the exercise prescription

Exercise testing can provide valuable information to aid the primary care p hysician in developing a safe and effective exercise program for his or her patients. This review presents the most recent recommendations for the com ponents of an exercise program as well as methods to accomplish appropriate prescription writing for the various subsets of individuals from the healt hy patient to the patient with chronic disease. In addition, a plea is made for physicians to encourage all patients to engage in at least some kind o f regular exercise activity in an attempt to counteract the increasingly se dentary lifestyles found in our culture.