Physical activity

Physical activity reduces the risk of disease

Physical activity reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, diabetes, hypertension, various types of cancer including colon cancer and breast cancer, as well as depression. Physical activity is also fundamental to energy balance and weight control. Globally, about 23% of adults and 81% of school-going adolescents are not active enough. Generally, women and girls are less active than men and boys, and older adults are less active than younger adults.

Regular physical activity helps to maintain a healthy body

People who are physically active:

• improve their muscular and cardio-respiratory fitness;
• improve their bone and functional health;
• have lower rates of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer (including colon and breast cancer), and depression;
• have a lower risk of falling and of hip or vertebral fractures; and
• are more likely to maintain their weight.

Physical activity is not the same as sport

Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by the skeletal muscles that uses energy. This includes sports, exercise, and other activities such as playing, walking, household chores, gardening, and dancing. Any activity, be it for work, to walk or cycle to and from places, or as part of leisure time, has a health benefit.

Moderate and vigorous physical activity bring benefits

Intensity refers to the rate at which the activity is being performed. It can be thought of as how hard a person works to do an activity. The intensity of different forms of physical activity varies between people. Depending on an individual's relative level of fitness, examples of moderate physical activity could include: brisk walking, dancing, or household chores. Examples of vigorous physical activity could be: running, fast cycling, fast swimming, or moving heavy loads.

60 minutes a day for people 5–17 years old

People aged 5–17 should have at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. More than 60 minutes of physical activity a day brings additional health benefits.

150 minutes a week for people 18–64 years old

Adults aged 18–64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity each week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous activity throughout the week, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous activity. In order to be beneficial for cardio-respiratory health, all activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration.

Adults aged 65 and above

The main recommendations for adults and older adults are the same. In addition, older adults with poor mobility should do physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls 3 or more days per week. When older adults cannot do the recommended amount of physical activity due to health conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow.

All healthy adults need to be physically active

Unless specific medical conditions indicate the contrary, WHO’s recommendations apply to all people – irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level. These recommendations also apply to individuals with chronic noncommunicable conditions, not related to mobility, such as hypertension or diabetes. Adults with disabilities should also follow WHO’s recommendations.

Some physical activity is better than none

Inactive people should start with small amounts of physical activity and gradually increase duration, frequency, and intensity over time. Inactive adults, older adults, and those with disease limitations will have added health benefits when they become more active. Pregnant women, postpartum women, and persons with cardiac conditions may need to take extra precautions and seek medical advice before striving to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity.

Supportive environments and communities help people to be physically active

Urban and environmental policies have huge potential to increase levels of physical activity . These policies should ensure that:

• walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation are accessible and safe for all;
• labour and workplace policies encourage physical activity;
• schools have safe spaces and facilities for students to spend their free time actively; and
• sports and recreation facilities provide opportunities for everyone to be physically active.