A Prescription for Good Health (pdf, 1.3 MB) - Ministry of Health

Sir Peter Snell
New Zealand sporting legend Sir Peter Snell has
given his wholehearted endorsement to the Green
Prescription programme, saying it is the envy
of countries such as the United States that don’t
have the same infrastructure to implement it.
Although best known in this country for his
extraordinary running ability and gold-medal
winning performances in the Rome and Tokyo
Olympics of 1960 and 1964 respectively, Texas-based
Sir Peter has also spent more than 40 years studying
the benefits of exercise on the human body.
Sir Peter says that the closest anyone has come to a
formula for immortality is regular daily exercise. And
Sir Peter is convinced that general practitioners are
in the best position to encourage people who are not
used to exercising to first contemplate it and then
start improving their levels of activity.
‘In a multi-study trial we conducted in Dallas,
Stanford and Memphis, of more than 900
individuals, one-third improved their levels of
exercise just on the basis of their doctor’s advice.
With a Green Prescription, people get their doctor’s
recommendation to exercise and then the extra
support to help them stay motivated. There are also
positive spin-offs for the rest of the community,
particularly family and friends who see Green
Prescription recipients out exercising.’
Sir Peter’s interest in the impact of exercise on the
body has always had a personal element to it, but
he says this interest has increased as he has aged.
‘I’m interested in my own mortality and want to
have physical and mental independence until I die,
whenever that might be. Obviously, not everyone can
be successful in this endeavour, but you can enhance
your chances by exercising.’
Despite osteoarthritis in his knees and a heart
condition, 73-year-old Sir Peter cycles to and from
work each day, takes the stairs to his ninth floor offce,
plays golf, gardens and participates in orienteering
events. He says that, as you age, the body isn’t as
forgiving, but it’s never too late to benefit from
exercise. ‘Muscles still respond to exercise, which
means resistance training is important in helping us
maintain our strength as we get older.’
‘Most of us have pretty sedentary jobs now, and we
need to be aware that we need to get out of our chairs
and do something active every hour. Even if we have
done ½ or ¾ of an hour’s exercise before work, sitting
for the rest of the day is not good. You really need to
be on your feet as much as you can.’ z
Sir Peter says there has been a lot of published
research on the Green Prescription initiative,
showing that it works in improving people’s health
and is highly cost effective. ‘It is unique to New
Zealand but has been acknowledged internationally
as a very good programme. Here in America, people
think it is a good idea, but they don’t have the
organisations to support it. You need agencies like
the Ministry of Health and advocates like Diana
O’Neill to push such an initiative.’
Sir Peter says that with or without a Green
Prescription, people should get out and start
exercising. Much of his research has been about
populations that are prone to diabetes and the
benefits of exercise for these populations. ‘For most
people, type 2 diabetes could be completely avoidable
through exercise and good nutrition,’ he explains.
A Prescription for Good Health: Green Prescriptions in action
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