Home » About the Report » Recommendations » Physical Activity

Physical Activity

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Be physically active as part of everyday life.

PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS
The proportion of the population that is sedentary1 to be halved every 10 years
Average physical activity levels (PALs)1 to be above 1.6.

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Be moderately physically active, equivalent to brisk walking,2 for at least 30 minutes every day.
As fitness improves, aim for 60 minutes or more of moderate, or for 30 minutes or more of vigorous, physical activity every day2 3.
Limit sedentary habits such as watching television.

  1. The term 'sedentary' refers to a PAL of 1.4 or less. PAL is a way of representing the average intensity of daily physical activity. PAL is calculated as total energy expenditure as a multiple of basal metabolic rate
  2. Can be incorporated in occupational, transport, household, or leisure activities
  3. This is because physical activity of longer duration or greater intensity is more beneficial