Exercise prescribed for preventive care

While the technical surgery drew attention, the underlying methodology is the expansion of a systemic approach to public health — the "exercise prescription". Developed through the country's first national technical specification — led by Tianjin Hospital in 2024 — the "prescription" moves beyond casual fitness advice to provide safe, individualized exercise dosages based on clinical assessments of balance, mobility and strength.

"Unlike some developed countries where sports injury treatment mainly targets a small number of elite athletes, our strength lies in serving professional sports teams while making that same level of care accessible to the general public," Xu said, adding that people of any age can find reliable, professional advice through the system.

This not only helps people prevent sports injuries early, but for patients with chronic diseases, the exercise prescription serves as a form of nonpharmacological treatment.

"Take high blood pressure or diabetes, for example. After a scientific assessment, once the exercise is properly carried out, those chronic conditions, obesity, blood pressure and blood sugar levels all improve," Xu said.

For patients, doctors first conduct a physical fitness assessment, measuring balance, mobility, strength and flexibility, and then prescribe an exercise plan, telling patients what they should and should not do.

The national Healthy China 2030 initiative calls for strengthening the integration of sports and medicine. In Tianjin, 11 hospitals have become pilot sites for this integration, formally incorporating exercise intervention into chronic disease management.