Physical Activity Counseling and Documentation by Pediatric Residents in Primary Care: Before and After Introduction of the FITT Principle

Abstract

Physician training on physical activity (PA) counseling in patient care is highly variable. The objective of this study was to improve PA counseling by pediatric residents through introduction of the four components of PA, called the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time, type). Pediatric residents ( n=30) received lectures, curriculum content, and an electronic smart-phrase addressing PA in obesity, including the FITT principle. Surveys assessed resident attitudes, and chart reviews ( n = 423 over 16 months) identified evidence of PA counseling including FITT principle components preintervention and postintervention. Survey results showed positive attitudes and confidence regarding primary care provider roles in counseling on PA, with no differences postintervention. Chart reviews demonstrated increased documentation on PA frequency postintervention (pre 31.9% vs post 50.9%, P=.00006), but no significant changes in intensity, time or type. In conclusion, a focused PA curriculum promoted PA counseling by pediatric residents, with increased documentation of one component of the FITT principle.

Evaluation of Exercise Mobile Applications for Adults with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

“…The fifth and sixth review criteria by which we evaluated the qualifying exercise apps was if the app provided FIT recommendations for the exercise plan for the four types of exercise. The ACSM introduced the importance of framing the ExRx by the FITT principle as the industry standard to establish the exercise dose that optimizes health [17,18,42,43]. Surprisingly, in this review, only ~5% of the exercise apps delivered their exercise programs by applying the entire FITT principle.…”