Prevention Rather Than Cure: What If Physical Activity Were Part of the Solution?

For as long as I can remember, Quebec’s healthcare system has always faced significant challenges. The population is aging, the number of people living with chronic disease is constantly rising—not to mention the acute staff shortages in our hospitals and the inevitable rise in costs that all this entails.

In January 2024, in certain regions of Quebec, some hospitals reached occupancy rates ranging from 180% to 225% (article – French only). At the same time, La Presse reported this past April that 54% of adults in Quebec do not meet the recommended level of physical activity to benefit their health. These two realities are not unrelated.

Although these are complex issues, and although there is no single solution. Part of the answer may lie in a habit we all have the power to incorporate into our daily lives: more physical activity.

Having worked at Nautilus Plus for over 25 years now, I deeply believe in the power of physical activity—not only to improve our physical fitness, but also to maintain our health and prevent many problems before they take hold. The company’s very mission is to actively contribute to the well-being of Quebec’s population by doing everything possible to improve their health and quality of life.

My greatest hope is that we will finally give prevention the place it deserves in our society! An increase of just 10% in the number of Canadians who are more active would save approximately 629 million dollars annually.

Physical Activity: An Investment in Our Health

Because, yes, it’s worth reiterating: regular physical activity helps prevent several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and many types of cancer. It also promotes better mental health, sleep quality, long-term mobility, and the maintenance of independence.

At the same time, the cost of medications to treat these diseases is rising steadily. And here’s the other bad news: while these diseases used to be limited to adults, they are now appearing in our youngest children. The downward spiral is therefore getting deeper…

So, what if we viewed physical activity as an investment in our future rather than an extra expense?

You’ve probably seen recent public statements by Pierre Lavoie and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who are advocating for prevention through physical activity, presenting it as a collective investment we simply cannot afford to do without. According to this article published in La Presse, every dollar invested in prevention could generate up to $14.30 in economic and social benefits.

Fitness Centers: Partners in Prevention

Fitness centers also have an important role to play in public health. Nautilus Plus offers an accessible, supervised environment tailored to everyone and anyone, regardless of age or fitness level.

We believe in the importance of professional, personalized, and supportive guidance. Our exercise physiologists, nutritionists, and other professionals help people set realistic goals and incorporate movement into their daily lives.

Being active doesn’t necessarily mean running a marathon or working out six times a week. Above all, it’s about finding a way to move regularly that you can easily maintain long term.

150 minutes at a time: a concrete way to do your part

Nautilus Plus is proud to present the 4th edition of the “Défi 150 minutes: c’est la CLÉ” Challenge, during the week of November 16.

The goal? To accumulate 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over the course of the week, in line with the WHO’s minimum recommendations for adults.

In addition, for everyone participating in this Challenge, Nautilus Plus will keep its doors open all week to provide a space where participants can rack up their 150 minutes. So, in addition to exploring our facilities, the Challenge also helps raise funds for the Chair in Educational Leadership on the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle at Université Laval, which contributes to improving knowledge in prevention and health advocacy.

Take advantage of the week of November 16 to assess your level of physical activity and challenge yourself to complete those 150 minutes. By participating, you’re taking care of yourself while contributing to the greater good.

What if we made prevention a priority?

Physical activity alone cannot solve all the challenges facing our healthcare system. But together, we can place greater emphasis on prevention and make it easier to embrace healthy lifestyle habits. It takes effort, of course, but Nautilus Plus is committed to helping you succeed.

Because taking care of your health shouldn’t start only when a problem arises. Incorporating physical activity into your routine as early as possible—regardless of your age—helps you maintain a higher quality of life for longer while reducing the strain on the healthcare system.

By participating in the 150-Minute Challenge, you’ll receive an official T-shirt featuring the slogan « Ensemble, contribuons à un Québec plus en forme et en santé ». We all have a part to play—start playing yours today.

Since we are convinced that physical activity is a worthwhile investment—both for our health and for our healthcare system—let’s meet at our centers on November 16. Together, let’s demonstrate that prevention is one of the most powerful measures we can take for the future of our society.

Prevention Rather Than Cure: What If Physical Activity Were Part of the Solution? is a post from Nautilus Plus. The Nautilus Plus blog aims to help people in their journey to fitness through articles on training, nutrition, motivation, exercise and healthy recipes.
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