Recommending More Strenuous Living

The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association released updated physical activity recommendations for adults this week. The release revises and clarifies 1995 recommendations on the types and amounts of physical activity needed by adults to maintain health.

Central to the document is the recommendation for healthy adults between 18-65 years to strive for “... moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 30 minutes on five days each week or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 20 minutes on three days each week. “

This is the minimum for maintaining health. The press release also points out that...

“The new recommendation emphasizes the important fact that physical activity above the recommended minimum amount provides even greater health benefits. “

In addition, a muscle strength training component has now been incorporated into the recommendations.