Final answer:
The foundation of exercise prescription is evidence-based guidelines tailored to individual needs, promoting both moderate aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, overcoming barriers, and fostering accountability and enjoyment in physical activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The foundation of all exercise prescription is the understanding and application of evidence-based guidelines to improve physical fitness and overall health, tailored to an individual's specific health status, goals, and preferences. Physical exercise is defined as any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health. Adults are recommended to engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, alongside muscle-strengthening activities. Emphasis should be placed on finding activities that one enjoys, incorporating them regularly, and progressively increasing intensity and duration.
Overcoming barriers such as time constraints, fatigue, or lack of athletic ability is also vital by breaking up exercise into smaller sessions, recognizing the energy-boosting benefits of exercise, and choosing enjoyable activities, which can range from gardening to dancing or playing active video games. Making oneself accountable through social support or exercise logs, and rewarding progress, are additional key strategies to sustain an active lifestyle.