2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans describes the major research findings on the health benefits of physical activity:
- Regular physical activity reduces the risk of many adverse health outcomes
- Some physical activity is better than none
- For most health outcomes, additional benefits occur as the amount of physical activity increase through higher intensity, greater frequency and/or longer duration
- Most health benefits occur with at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking.
- Both aerobic (endurance) and muscle-strengthening (resistance) physical activity are beneficial
- Health benefits occur for children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, older adults, and those in every studied racial ethnical group
- The health benefits of physical activity occur for people with disabilities
- The benefits of physical activity far outweigh the possibility of adverse outcomes
Additional Information
