Last year 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a new global document entitled Recommendations physical activity for health, which includes a series of guidelines, supported by empirical evidence on the relationship between physical activity and health benefits.
Physical inactivity, as emphasized by WHO in this document is the fourth risk factor for public health, accounting for 6% of deaths occurring in the world, and vulnerability is May 1 the development of other serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer, especially breast and colon cancer. On the contrary, the practice of
a regular physical activity is an important protective factor for our health, because it prevents the occurrence of cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, hypertension and cancer, and is fundamental to energy balance and weight control.
Therefore, the WHO considers it essential to improve public health that different member states to develop specific policies and strategies to promote and facilitate physical activity at population level. In order to facilitate the development and implementation of these strategies, WHO has developed this series of recommendations intended to be as specific as possible. Thus, the guidelines refer to three different age groups (children and young people, adults and seniors)., Indicating the type of activity to be performed, and the frequency, duration and intensity of it, to obtain a benefit for their own health and to prevent the occurrence of other diseases. In this regard, the WHO recommendations are:
Therefore, the WHO considers it essential to improve public health that different member states to develop specific policies and strategies to promote and facilitate physical activity at population level. In order to facilitate the development and implementation of these strategies, WHO has developed this series of recommendations intended to be as specific as possible. Thus, the guidelines refer to three different age groups (children and young people, adults and seniors)., Indicating the type of activity to be performed, and the frequency, duration and intensity of it, to obtain a benefit for their own health and to prevent the occurrence of other diseases. In this regard, the WHO recommendations are:
- Children and youth aged 5 to 17 years. It is recommended that activities are conducted primarily aerobic (games, sports, physical education, etc..) And moderate or vigorous type at least three times a week, although it would be optimal sixty minutes per day. In this way, improve cardiorespiratory and muscular function, bone health and reduce the risk of significant health problems such as obesity or diabetes, among others.
- Adults (18-64). WHO recommends the practice of moderate aerobic exercise a minimum of 150 minutes per week or 75 minutes when the exercise is vigorous, but the optimum would reach 300 minutes per week. Also recommended that about two times a week moderate exercise to strengthen the major muscle groups.
- Senior age (65 years). The physical exercise must be directed to the improvement of cardiorespiratory function and muscle and bone strengthening and prevention of emergence of other problems such as hypertension, diabetes, depression or cognitive impairment, among others. To do this, you are required to perform physical exercise for at least 150 or 75 minutes a week, as moderate or vigorous intensity, respectively, although the optimal
thymus would reach 300 minutes per week. Also recommended the implementation of muscular strengthening exercises twice a week. For people with reduced mobility are encouraged to develop physical activity to improve their balance and thus prevent falls, three or more days a week.
This document is part of the mandate for physical activity for the health of the WHO, which started in 2004, when the World Health Assembly endorsed the resolution WHA 57.17, Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (RAFS), by which it recommended that Member States develop action plans and policies to increase physical activity levels of its population. Later in the year 2008, the Assembly approved the plan of action also included the development of policies and interventions for increasing physical activity of its citizens, guidelines for developing policies that encourage the use of safe transport to encourage physical activity and therefore, adaptation strategies of urban structures to do so (eg., building bike lanes, walking paths, etc.). Finally, in 2010, were issued more specific recommendations to help Member States develop national strategies to promote physical activity.
The adoption of this set of strategies and policies will greatly benefit the health of citizens of Member States and, consequently, the health of the population of each country and ultimately to global public health, since as emphasized by WHO in relation to the empirical evidence available, it recorded profits in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness with metabolic health (obesity and diabetes), improve the functioning of the musculoskeletal system (bone health and osteoporosis), reduced the incidence of cancer breast and colon, as well as depression.
Source:
World Health Organization. (2010). Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789243599977_spa.pdf.
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