A microcomputer-assisted exercise prescription for use by family physicians.

Family physicians frequently advise their patients on choosing and implementing regular programs of exercise. This report describes techniques of submaximal aerobic fitness assessment and microcomputer-assisted exercise prescription suitable for use in office-based practice. A submaximal bench step test is used for the estimation of aerobic fitness. A BASIC program operating on a Macintosh provides calculations of fitness levels and produces an individualized exercise prescription. While obviously not suitable for every patient, this approach is practical for young to middle-aged low-risk individuals interested in beginning regular training programs.