Prescribing parkrun: medicalising a walk in the park

Dear Editor

The word prescribing is wrong in my view. But there is a lot of evidence that GPs can nudge people to healthier activities. In our local park runs we also have a sub group of C25K (couch to 5 K as per the NHS app) supportive people who help encourage people to gradually get more active, park walkers for those who don't want to or can't run, once a month cancer survivors etc. I assume many other park runs do the same. We also have many non running volunteers who come out and help at the same time as combating social isolation and loneliness. As we get more evidence that exercise is the best medicine for knee pain, COPD, back pain and depression let's not get stuck on the word prescribe but share our hobbies and nudge/encourage others to join. I thought vitality was a supplement till I read this article!