Introduction
Physical activity is a cornerstone of health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. The clinical evidence for its benefits is extensive and consistent. As physiotherapists and movement specialists, our role is to guide patients through evidence-based exercise strategies that align with both public health guidance and individual health status.
This article outlines the robust evidence supporting exercise as medicine, including the NHS physical activity guidelines and current peer-reviewed research, and how these principles are delivered at The Heal Hut.
NHS Guidelines: A Population-Level Framework
The UK Chief Medical Officers’ Guidelines (2019) provide a clear, evidence-based framework for physical activity across the lifespan. These guidelines, endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), recommend that:
Adults (19–64 years) should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, weekly, alongside muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week.
🔗 NHS Exercise Guidelines: Adults 19–64
Older adults (65+) are advised to maintain the same aerobic and strength-building targets, while placing additional emphasis on balance and coordination to reduce fall risk.
🔗 NHS Exercise Guidelines: Older Adults
These recommendations are based on reviews of high-quality evidence and are supported by global health bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020).
The Evidence Base: What the Literature Tells Us
Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently demonstrate the protective and therapeutic effects of physical activity:
All-cause mortality is significantly reduced in physically active individuals. One major review by Warburton & Bredin (2017) in Comprehensive Physiology showed up to 30–35% reduction in mortality among active adults.
A Cochrane review (2019) found that structured physical activity programs significantly reduce the risk of falls in older adults by up to 23%.
In patients with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, exercise therapy has been shown to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life, with effects comparable to or exceeding pharmacological interventions (Geneen et al., Cochrane Database, 2017).
The WHO (2020) emphasises exercise as a first-line intervention for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
The Heal Hut Approach: Personalised, Virtual, Evidence-Based
At The Heal Hut, our approach is grounded in clinical reasoning, patient-centred care, and best practice guidelines. Our specialist physiotherapy service offers:
Individualised assessments delivered virtually by highly specialist MSK clinicians
Tailored exercise programmes built on current evidence
Monitoring and progressive loading strategies adapted to patient recovery
Emphasis on self-efficacy, education, and functional outcomes
Every client is treated as a whole person — not just a diagnosis. We incorporate lifestyle, psychosocial, and comorbidity factors into our treatment planning, aligning with biopsychosocial models of care (Wade & Halligan, 2017).
Practical Impact and Long-Term Benefits
The long-term benefits of exercise are indisputable:
30–40% reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes
Up to 35% lower risk of cardiovascular events
Significant improvements in mental health, sleep, and cognitive function
(Source: UK Chief Medical Officers, 2019; WHO, 2020)
As clinicians, we see these benefits daily. Patients who move more, move better — and often experience improved recovery times, lower medication use, and better adherence to long-term self-management strategies.
Conclusion
Incorporating physical activity into clinical care is not optional — it is essential. At The Heal Hut, we are committed to delivering virtual physiotherapy solutions that are as clinically robust as they are convenient.
If you’re looking for personalised support from highly experienced MSK physiotherapists, book a virtual session today or explore our clinical services.
🧠 References
NHS England. Physical activity guidelines for adults and older adults. 2024.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
Warburton, D.E., Bredin, S.S. (2017). Health benefits of physical activity: a systematic review. Comprehensive Physiology, 7(1), 1–50.
Geneen, L.J., et al. (2017). Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4.
WHO. (2020). Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128
Wade, D.T., Halligan, P.W. (2017). The biopsychosocial model of illness: a model whose time has come. Clin Rehabil. 21(3):331–343.
