To mark World PT Day 2026 the Federal University of the Triângulo Mineiro in Brazil brought together several Brazilian states and two Portuguese-speaking countries, Angola and Mozambique. The event was coordinated by Professor Suraya Shimano and the Academic/Student Association of the Physiotherapy Course at the university.
Using the main theme of “Stroke and cardiovascular disease”, the programme included outdoor exercise sessions which were held with 60 older adults from the community who take part in the LongeVIDAde (Longevity) university extension group. This activity was led by postgraduate students from the Older Adult Health Residency Programme.
Following the exercise session, two online lectures were delivered. The first, entitled “Accessible, evidence-based strategies for stroke prevention”, was presented by Professor Gustavo Luvizutto. The second lecture, entitled “Exercise prescription for cardiovascular prevention: how can it be optimised?”, was delivered by Dr Juliana Prata Milani, a Brazilian researcher at Hasselt University.
More than 250 people attended the event, including healthcare professionals, students and community members from 12 Brazilian universities, two Angolan universities and one Mozambican university.
It was a very enriching and joyful day and, above all, encouraged a change in attitudes towards the healthy lifestyle choices we make every day. The event concluded with the message: “Exercise prevents disease, and exercise is medicine.”
