“Even during the health crisis, health sport is a social issue,” estimates one doctor

What if the coronavirus advances health programs through sport? The Research Institute for the Wellbeing of Medicine, Sports and Health (IRBMS), in Villeneuve d’Ascq, in the North, is campaigning in this direction. Because from the decision to close the sports halls in September, he obtained the right to continue practicing a sport for people with a medical prescription. And this, despite the health constraints linked to the Covid-19 epidemic.

As of 25 September, several prefectoral decrees had been adopted after the announcement of the passage of the Lille metropolitan area into a reinforced alert zone. Among these measures, the closure of sports halls for all audiences, including those who have practiced physical activity for therapeutic purposes.

Rear car ministry

The ministry finally backtracked a week later after the alert from physical activity professionals and the France Sport Santé collective.

“Persons with disabilities who would need to engage in regular physical activity, as well as those with a prescription for an adapted physical activity (APA) often integrated into care pathways, are now among the priority groups who can continue to exercise. in the covered structures, ”the ministry finally admitted.

A relief for Dr. Patrick Bacquaert, medical director of the IRBMS Hauts-de-France. “It was unimaginable that these people, who often suffer from diabetes or obesity, could not continue their sport-based therapy. Because they are also at risk of Covid-19 regardless of age. Stopping this treatment would have had deleterious effects on their health. “

“A medical certificate is not enough”

However, it is not necessary to try to obtain a medical certificate in order to resume physical activity at this time. Does not work. “A simple certificate in the prevention of a medical risk is not enough”, explains Patrick Bacquaert. These are prescriptions that respond to “prescription sports health” for long-lasting infections. Excess overweight, due to confinement, is therefore not a valid reason.

Because Patrick Bacquaert believes that “it is a public health issue and a social issue”. “Expert studies show that these sports prescriptions could save health insurance 4 billion,” he says. However, the available facilities are still too private, the gym must have a qualified person to follow a precise protocol.

How many people benefit from this program in Hauts-de-France? Contacted, the regional health authority did not respond. “There is hardly any political will, regrets Patrick Bacquaert. This is why there is a lack of awareness among the public and healthcare professionals, as the region is most affected by obesity and cardiovascular risks. “