UKZN academics, Dr Takshita Sookan-Kassie and Professor Mergan Naidoo, presented at the “Exercise Prescription for Health” workshop held in Cape Town.
Organised by the South African Academy for Family Physicians, the workshop – attended by Medical doctors and allied health professionals from across the country – focused on the importance of integrating exercise into medical practice to enhance patient outcomes.
Sookan-Kassie and Naidoo’s presentation underscored the critical need for physicians to assess patients’ exercise habits and inform them of the risks associated with physical inactivity. The duo stressed that physical inactivity is a significant public health concern with an extensive range of detrimental effects. ‘Exercise is more than just a way to stay fit; it is a key modality in preventing, treating, and rehabilitating diseases,’ said Sookan-Kassie. ‘Patients who maintain an active lifestyle live longer, healthier, and better lives. Physicians must address physical inactivity as part of their routine assessments.’
Their presentation also highlighted the role of exercise in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and pulmonary conditions. They advocated for an evidence-based approach to prescribing exercise as medicine, noting that such interventions are essential for reducing the burden on healthcare systems. A recent publication in Preventative Medicine made assertions that 30-minutes of exercise five times per week over a long period reversed biological age by nine years.
Sookan-Kassie, a registered biokineticist and senior lecturer at UKZN, has long been involved in promoting the integration of exercise into healthcare. Her PhD research focused on the impact of resistance training and whey protein intake on the strength, body composition, and overall health of HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART). She is a strong advocate for using exercise as a sustainable intervention to reduce the burden on South Africa’s healthcare system and promote healthier lifestyles.
In her ongoing work, Sookan-Kassie leads research on Tailored Exercise Prescribed as Medicine (TEPAM), exploring novel ways to prescribe exercise for managing conditions like Type 2 diabetes. She has secured several research grants, including those from the National Research Foundation and UKZN’s College of Health Sciences, to support her work in advancing exercise as a form of medicine.
Additionally, Sookan-Kassie has played a pivotal role in promoting biokinetics in the public health sector and creating opportunities for students in the field at Department of Health sites, making her a key figure in advancing the profession.
Naidoo, Associate Professor and Head of the Clinical Unit in Family Medicine at UKZN and Wentworth Hospital, co-presented with Sookan-Kassie. An experienced clinician and researcher, Naidoo highlighted the role of family physicians in addressing the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases through exercise prescriptions. Naidoo’s research interests span infectious diseases, NCDs, maternal health, primary emergency care, and medical education. As President of the College of Family Physicians and Chair of the eThekwini Family Medicine Forum, Naidoo is a leader in advancing family medicine in South Africa. He is a keen sportsperson, having participated in many endurance running and cycling events. He also has a special interest in sports medicine, having completed an MSc in Sports Medicine from the University of Pretoria.
The workshop served as an essential platform for family physicians to explore how exercise can be integrated into their clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and address public health challenges. As Sookan-Kassie and Naidoo pointed out, exercise is not just a lifestyle choice but a powerful tool for disease prevention and management that all healthcare providers should actively promote in their own lives and in the lives of the patients they care for.
Their presentation reinforced the critical role physicians play in combating the global rise of sedentary lifestyles and their associated health risks, calling for an inclusive approach to prescribing exercise as medicine.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied