Abstract
Objectives
To describe new WHO 2020 Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour.
Methods
The guidelines were developed in accordance with WHO protocols. An expert Guideline Development Group reviewed evidence to assess associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviour for an agreed set of health outcomes and population groups. The assessment utilized and systematically updated recent relevant systematic reviews; new primary reviews addressed additional health outcomes or sub populations.
Results
The new guidelines address children, adolescents, adults, older adults and include new specific recommendations for pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disability. All adults should undertake 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or some equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, per week. Among children and adolescents, an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity across the week provides health benefits. The guidelines recommend regular muscle-strengthening activity for all age groups. Additionally, reducing sedentary behaviours is recommended across all age groups and abilities, although evidence was insufficient to quantify a sedentary behaviour threshold.
Conclusion
These 2020 WHO Guidelines update previous WHO recommendations released in 2010. They reaffirm messages that some physical activity is better than none, that more physical activity is better for optimal health outcomes, and provide a new recommendation on reducing sedentary behaviours. These guidelines highlight the importance of regularly undertaking both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities and for the first time, there are specific recommendations for specific populations including for pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disability. These Guidelines should be used to inform national health policies aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 and to strengthen surveillance systems that track progress toward national and global targets.
To describe new WHO 2020 Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour.
Methods
The guidelines were developed in accordance with WHO protocols. An expert Guideline Development Group reviewed evidence to assess associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviour for an agreed set of health outcomes and population groups. The assessment utilized and systematically updated recent relevant systematic reviews; new primary reviews addressed additional health outcomes or sub populations.
Results
The new guidelines address children, adolescents, adults, older adults and include new specific recommendations for pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disability. All adults should undertake 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or some equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, per week. Among children and adolescents, an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity across the week provides health benefits. The guidelines recommend regular muscle-strengthening activity for all age groups. Additionally, reducing sedentary behaviours is recommended across all age groups and abilities, although evidence was insufficient to quantify a sedentary behaviour threshold.
Conclusion
These 2020 WHO Guidelines update previous WHO recommendations released in 2010. They reaffirm messages that some physical activity is better than none, that more physical activity is better for optimal health outcomes, and provide a new recommendation on reducing sedentary behaviours. These guidelines highlight the importance of regularly undertaking both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities and for the first time, there are specific recommendations for specific populations including for pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disability. These Guidelines should be used to inform national health policies aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 and to strengthen surveillance systems that track progress toward national and global targets.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1451-1462 |
| Journal | British Journal of Sports Medicine |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 24 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Nov 2020 |
Research Groups and Themes
- SPS Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences