STM Article Repository

The benefits of physical activity are well-documented throughout the human lifespan. Both the current, UK Chief Medical Officer's Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) and the U. S. Department of Health Human Services (2018) highlight their protective benefits on a range of many chronic conditions, such as coronary heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, mental health problems and social isolation. The guidelines recommend similar duration of physical activity for both younger and older adults. Namely, 150 min (2.5 h) of moderate intensity activity (such as a brisk walk) or 75 min of vigorous intensity activity weekly (i.e., running), along with a combination of moderate and vigorous activity, is recommended to achieve greater benefits. Similar duration of regular physical activity is also recommended by the World Health Organization with more benefits obtained when the cumulative time of physical activity is higher (300 min per week or 5 h/weekly).