Exercise is part and parcel of physical activities carried out each day.

This is the sentiment of Physiotherapy director Cathy Wong as the Fiji Physiotherapy Association gears up for a conference on "movement for health and diabetes" to celebrate World Physiotherapy Day this weekend.

Wong said sports are a portion of physiotherapy and they are trying to encourage people to participate in sports as a lifelong habit and as an effective way to prevent lifestyle diseases.

She said diabetes is the most common cause of adult blindness and non-traumatic amputation in the country and 300 diabetes patients undergo amputations every year.

Wong said most people perceive staying physically active as hitting the gym which is not the case.