How much physical activity is needed for health?
Everyone can benefit from increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour, including older adults living with chronic conditions or disability. These recommendations are relevant to all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, income level, or functional ability.
Every move counts, as any amount of physical activity is better than none, and more is generally better. Benefits can be gained from even low levels of activity and everyone should be encouraged to start slowly and increase their regular physical activity.
All physical activity counts and can be undertaken in many different ways that contribute to the health benefits and across multiple settings. For example, walking and cycling, every-day household tasks, gardening, dancing, exercise, and sport all count as physical activity.
It’s never too late to start being active, and certain activities, such as multicomponent exercises done as part of weekly physical activity can help prevent falls among older adults.
Too much sedentary behaviour can be unhealthy and can increase the risk of obesity, poorer fitness and cardiometabolic health and behaviour, and affect sleep duration. Limiting and replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity provides health benefits.
(Source: OMS 2023)
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