2023-09-11 10:04:27
Did you know that sport sometimes constitutes a medical treatment in its own right? For any chronic illness, a doctor can prescribe physical activity, in addition to medication. In Limousin, the Parcours Territoire Autonomie association directs patients towards suitable exercises.
At the edge of a pond, there are a dozen of them, Nordic walking poles in hand. After a few minutes of stretching and gymnastics, they go hiking on the pretty trails offered by the Creuse. “The abs are held, and we breathe!“
This is not a sports club, but a group of patients suffering or having suffered from various illnesses. Each of them was prescribed physical activity by a doctor, due to cancer, diabetes or even cardiovascular disease. Because yes: sport sometimes constitutes a medical treatment in its own right, in addition to medication.
“I had a stroke, and walking helps me to be better balanced“, confides one of the participants. In Limousin, the association Territorial Autonomy Route is responsible for directing those concerned towards suitable exercises, and offers three itineraries depending on the severity of the pathologies. The duration of the sessions, their intensity and the movements vary. “In Creuse, it works very well: we have had 430 beneficiaries for barely two yearsexplains Régis Latour, project coordinator. Doctors test the program, and usually come back to us to continue.”
The benefits of sport have been widely demonstrated by numerous studies carried out in France and abroad. The benefits range from reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke or cancer, to limiting weight gain, hypertension and even depression.
At the Noth rehabilitation center, caregivers look after patients with reduced mobility, often in wheelchairs. They have no doubt about the benefit of the device. “Often, what people say is that it allowed them to build social bonds, the playful side allowed them to enjoysays Emmanuel Peyrelade, adapted physical activity teacher. They realize that they could do physical activity. They often had a preconceived idea thinking that it was not accessible to them.“
Today, these pathways are funded by regional health agencies, the State and the Region. However, depending on the activities prescribed, patients remain responsible for any remaining payment.
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