We know that physical activity is good for our health, but how much is enough? Canadian and international movement guidelines and physical activity recommendations are available to reference, and generally more physical activity leads to greater health benefits.
The key is to start where you are, find an activity you enjoy and want to continue to do, and gradually build up your activity levels until you meet or exceed recommendations. The most important “take away” is that any amount of physical activity is beneficial.
Canadian guidelines
- Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines: An integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- Early years (0-4) - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- Children and youth (5-17) - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- Adults (18-64) - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- Adults (65+) - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- The ability toolkit: A resource for parents of children and youth with a disability (PDF) - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
International guidelines
- Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour - World Health Organization (WHO)
- Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep for children under five (PDF) - World Health Organization (WHO)
- Physical activity fact sheet - World Health Organization (WHO)
Resources
- Build your best day: Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for children and youth - ParticipACTION
- Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for the early years (0-4) (video) - Build Your Best Day
- Every move counts (video) - World Health Organization (WHO)