07/30/2022
Physical activity
What exactly is exercise?
According to the WHO, physical activity is any skeletal muscle-driven movement that involves the use of energy. All movement, whether done for recreation, transportation to go to and from locations, or as part of a person's job, is considered physical exercise. Both intense and moderate physical activity are beneficial to health.
Walking, cycling, wheeling, sports, active recreation, and play are all common methods to be active that anybody may do for fun and at any ability level.
It has been demonstrated that regular exercise helps control and prevent noncommunicable illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and a number of malignancies. Additionally, it lowers blood pressure, supports a healthy body weight, and enhances mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Key facts
Physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds
Physical activity contributes to preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes
Physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
Physical activity enhances thinking, learning, and judgment skills
Physical activity ensures healthy growth and development in young people
Physical activity improves overall well-being
Globally, 1 in 4 adults do not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity
Up to 5 million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active
People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active
More than 80% of the world's adolescent population is insufficiently physically active
What is physical activity?
WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity refers to all movement including during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person’s work. Both moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity improve health.
Popular ways to be active include walking, cycling, wheeling, sports, active recreation and play, and can be done at any level of skill and for enjoyment by everybody.
Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being.
How much of physical activity is recommended?
WHO guidelines and recommendations provide details for different age groups and specific population groups on how much physical activity is needed for good health.
WHO recommends:
For children under 5 years of age
In a 24-hour day, infants (less than 1 year) should:
be physically active several times a day in a variety of ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play; more is better. For those not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes in prone position (tummy time) spread throughout the day while awake;
not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back);
Screen time is not recommended.
When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged; and
have 14-17h (0-3 months of age) or 12-16h (4-11 months of age) of good quality sleep, including naps.
In a 24-hour day, children 1-2 years of age should:
spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, including moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better;
not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back) or sit for extended periods of time.
For 1 year olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended.
For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better.
When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged; and
have 11-14h of good quality sleep, including naps, with regular sleep and wake-up times.
In a 24-hour day, children 3-4 years of age should:
spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better;
not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers) or sit for extended periods of time.
Sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better.
When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is); encourage; and
have 10-13h of good quality sleep, which may include a nap, with regular sleep and wake-up times.
For more information World Health Organization. Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age.
Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years
should do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, mostly aerobic, physical activity, across the week.
should incorporate vigorous-intensity aerobic activities, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 days a week.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary, particularly the amount of recreational screen time.
Adults aged 18–64 years
should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity;
or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week
should also do muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these provide additional health benefits.
may increase moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to more than 300 minutes; or do more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week for additional health benefits.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits, and
to help reduce the detrimental effects of high levels of sedentary behaviour on health, all adults and older adults should aim to do more than the recommended levels of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity
Adults aged 65 years and above
Same as for adults; and
as part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do varied multicomponent physical activity that emphasizes functional balance and strength training at moderate or greater intensity, on 3 or more days a week, to enhance functional capacity and to prevent falls.
Pregnant and postpartum women
All pregnant and postpartum women without contraindication should:
do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week
incorporate a variety of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits.
People living with chronic conditions (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, HIV and cancer survivors)
should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity;
or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week
should also do muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these provide additional health benefits.
as part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do varied multicomponent physical activity that emphasizes functional balance and strength training at moderate or greater intensity, on 3 or more days a week, to enhance functional capacity and to prevent falls.
may increase moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to more than 300 minutes; or do more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week for additional health benefits.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits, and
to help reduce the detrimental effects of high levels of sedentary behaviour on health, all adults and older adults should aim to do more than the recommended levels of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity.
Children and adolescents living with disability:
should do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, mostly aerobic, physical activity, across the week.
should incorporate vigorous-intensity aerobic activities, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 days a week.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary, particularly the amount of recreational screen time.
