I wanted to share a few insights that I found interesting from the latest report from the Department of Health and Human Services. The report, Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report, is an update from the 2008 recommendations they made.
A few highlights from the May 2019 ACE Fitness Journal recapping the report are:
-Adults need 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio perweek or 75-150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity cardio
-Kids ages 6-17 need an hour every day of moderate to vigorous exercise
-Inactivity is responsible for $117 billion in health care costs/year
-Inactivity is responsible for 10% of premature deaths
-Exercise boosts brain health
-Exercise improves depression management
-Exercise helps us sleep better
-Exercise is vital to weight management
-ANY amount of exercise improves quality of life
-Counting steps makes a difference-Higher intensity exercise is better for cardiovascular health
-It's best to spread exercise throughout the week (for example 3 moderate days vs 1-2 really intense days)
-Children even as young as 3-5 years old can benefit from exercise
-Exercise is a must as we grow older (particularly 65 years old and up)