03/12/2024
Physical Activity Guidelines and Benefits
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The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans is a resource that provides recommendations for frequency, intensity, and duration of various types of physical activity. These recommendations are backed by research and help individuals strive for the health benefits that come with participating in these activities.
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To gain health benefits, the guidelines state that:
➡️ adults should do at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity (equivalent to an RPE of 5-6/10) aerobic physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity (equivalent to an RPE of 7-8/10) aerobic physical activity
➡️ adults should do at least 2 days per week of moderate or vigorous-intensity muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups
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Individuals who follow these guidelines may gain a variety of health benefits, including:
➡️ reduced risk for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, dementia, anxiety, and depression, falls and fall-related injuries in older adults
➡️ improvements in bone and joint health, overall physical function, cognition (brain function), sleep, weight management, and quality of life
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For individuals who don’t necessarily meet these guidelines consistently, some of the above mentioned health benefits can still be seen if they replace some of their sedentary behaviors with light-intensity physical activity.
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With that said, let’s get moving!!
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Reference: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans | health.gov.