The Chief Medical Officer of the FIA, Dr John Searle, spoke at the Annual Congress of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, in Liverpool on October 15. His subject was 'Fitness as a routine part of health care - pie in the sky or exciting possibility?' He summarised the present epidemic of diseases which result from a sedentary life style together with the ways in which exercise can promote health and reduce these risks. He stressed the importance of partnerships with health professionals including physiotherapists and looked forward to the day when a fitness professional would be part of every GP team in the country. The talk was well received and many questions came from the audience.

1. Making exercise a normal part of health care Pie in the sky? John Searle Chief Medical Officer, Fitness Industry Association

18. Depression 40,000,000 prescriptions for depression each year in the UK

20. The state of the nation A sedentary, overweight population, costing billions of pounds every year, heading for dementia and nursing homes. Do we want to go there?

21. Slow, mass suicide

22. But we have the answer ‘ the benefits of regular physical activity on health, longevity and wellbeing easily surpass the effectiveness of any drugs or other medical treatment.’

23. John Dryden:1631-1700 By chance our learned fathers earned their food,Toil strained the nerve and purified the blood.But we, their sons, a pampered race of men Are limited to three score years and ten.Better to hunt in fields for health unsought Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draft.The wise for cure on exercise depend;God never made his work for man to mend.

37. Industry development 1960’s and 70’s

38. Industry development Industry development 1980’s

39. Industry development 1990’ & 2000’s - equipment

40. Industry development 1990’ & 2000’s ‘ looking good feeling great’

42. Making a start

43. Who is missing?