Exercise

New Physical Activity Guidelines Released

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released new physical activity guidelines for Americans.1 The guidelines were presented at the 2018 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions.

Published after an evidence review conducted by the 2018 Physical Guidelines Advisory Committee, the new guidelines provide information on the types and amounts of physical activity that are associated with optimal health benefits.

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In their recommendations, which address 38 questions and 104 sub-questions, the committee emphasized that moving more and sitting less will benefit nearly all people.

A key finding in the guideline indicated that those who engage in the least amount of exercise will benefit most with even a modest increase in moderate to vigorous exercise.

The committee also said that more exercise is associated with additional physical benefits, noting that aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises are both beneficial.

Other recommendations include:

  • Children aged 3 to 5 years should engage in physical activity throughout the day for optimal growth and development.
  • Youths aged 6 to 17 years should engage in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous exercise each day.
  • Adults should perform at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or a comparable combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise. Adults should also engage in muscle-strengthening exercise twice a week or more.
  • Older adults should engage in multicomponent exercises that include balance training, aerobic, and muscle-strengthening activities.
  • Pregnant and postpartum women should perform moderate-intensity aerobic activity for 150 minutes a week or more.
  • Adults with chronic conditions or disabilities, who are able, should adhere to the key guidelines for adults and engage in both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises.


The AHA will adopt the new guidelines as their official recommendations and urges other health groups to do the same. 2

—Christina Vogt

References:

1. Piercy KL, Troiano RP, Ballard RM, et al. The physical activity guidelines for Americans [Published online November 12, 2018]. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.14854.

2. American Heart Association calls for adoption of the newly released U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition [press release]. Chicago, IL. American Heart Association. November 12, 2018. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/american-heart-association-calls-for-adoption-of-the-newly-released-u-s-department-of-health-human-services-physical-activity-guidelines-for-americans-2nd-edition. Accessed on November 12, 2018.