Exercising outdoors should be done for 'at least 30 minutes a day'
20/08/2009 An expert in exercise has said that physical activity, whatever that may entail, needs to be on everybody's agenda for at least 30 minutes a day, in order to maintain a health status.
Patricia Doyle-Baker, an exercise and fitness epidemiologist in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, claims that the 30-minute recommendation is in accordance with guidelines from Health Canada and the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Sports Medicine.
"Fitness is an attribute of physical activity," Doyle-Ms Baker said. "Most physical benefits are clearly derived from the highest level of physical fitness."
However, the expert warned that people should check with their doctor before embarking on an exercise program, to see if they have any underlying health issues.
A moderate level of physical fitness is generally recommended but if people were able to do approximately 60 minutes of physical activity every day over their lifetime, there would be a good chance that the incremental weight gain of two to five pounds a year, which is common, would be avoided.
According to Bupa, children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of ten boys and six out of ten girls don't reach this target.
Patricia Doyle-Baker, an exercise and fitness epidemiologist in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, claims that the 30-minute recommendation is in accordance with guidelines from Health Canada and the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Sports Medicine.
"Fitness is an attribute of physical activity," Doyle-Ms Baker said. "Most physical benefits are clearly derived from the highest level of physical fitness."
However, the expert warned that people should check with their doctor before embarking on an exercise program, to see if they have any underlying health issues.
A moderate level of physical fitness is generally recommended but if people were able to do approximately 60 minutes of physical activity every day over their lifetime, there would be a good chance that the incremental weight gain of two to five pounds a year, which is common, would be avoided.
According to Bupa, children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of ten boys and six out of ten girls don't reach this target.
