Doctors Recommend Exercising Outdoor

Exercising outdoor is better than doing it indoor, says Dr Daphne Miller of San Francisco. It is easy to keep up the movement and exercise regimen outdoor, says Miller who is known for her prescription advising outdoor exercise for pills. No monthly dues for the fitness centres and expensive active wear are required when exercised outdoor, says the physician.

There is a drastic increase in obesity these days among adults and children, and most of the physicians, especially paediatricians advice regular workouts. Exercising outdoor is more than just keeping people physically active, says Zarnaaz Bashir, director of health initiatives for the National Recreation and Park Association.

Initially, when doctors came up with prescriptions advising working out in parks, it was not much validated, but the mindset is changing, said Kristin Wheeler, program director at the non-profit parks advocacy group, Institute at the Golden Gate, in San Francisco.

The trend of exercising outdoor is viral. For instance, a conference was held in Australia to discuss the benefits the parks can offer to people. Doctors prescribe green gyms and some outdoor sessions are also conducted by conservation groups in the UK. With respect to such proven health benefits, The Appalachian Mountain Group has offered to organise new outdoor activities for fun loving kids.

Robert Zarr, a physician with Unity Health Care in Washington DC, said in a conference held in 2013 that they are already practising outdoor exercising concept, and it is much similar to prescribing pills for asthma and ear infection.

Miller said that her prescription was a success that about 80 percent of people tried outdoor exercising and many made it a routine. ‘Healthy park, healthy people’ initiative is merging medical schools and parks programs to encourage new field practices, said Diana Allen, chief of the US National Park Service.

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