Health and physical activity. The notion of “sport-health”: Medical perspective and actions of the medical commission of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee

There is no longer any scientific controversy about the harmful effects of physical inactivity and sedentarity on health or the beneficial nature of physical activity and sport (PAS) adapted to people’s capacities and condition of health. These health benefits assist with the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of chronic diseases and various health conditions. The medical aspects of adapted PAS, or “sport-health,” have mainly been addressed in France. The medical prescription of “sport-health” is a key point that has been legalized by two laws in 2016 and 2022. The French High Authority of Health has published recommendations and a guide. The establishment of networks and “sport-health centers” is progressively contributing to better patient care. However, these services will only become permanent when their financing is ensured by the state health insurance system. The initial and ongoing training of health and sports professionals in adapted PAS is still insufficient. The French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), like other institutions, has invested in “sport-health” by developing, with sports federations, the medical dictionary “Médicosport santé,” accessible on the vidal.fr website, to assist doctors in prescribing adapted PAS and to provide assistance and information to sports professionals and the general public. The CNOSF has also set up an e-learning course for doctors on prescribing adapted PAS.