If your New Year’s resolution to begin an exercise program has been slow to get off the ground, physicians at Cooper University Hospital remind you that being physically active is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health.
To help you gain health benefits through appropriate physical activity, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has published science-based guidelines for Americans of all ages. The department’s publication, “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans,” offers guidance for all age groups—children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, adults aged 18 to 64, and older adults aged 65 and above. Physical activity guidelines also are included for pregnant and post-partum women, and for children, adolescents and adults with disabilities.
In its review of the scientific studies on physical activity for adults and older adults, the department reports strong evidence for: