On October 7, 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Based on major scientific review of the benefits of physical activity, the Guidelines recommend that children get one or more hours of moderate or vigorous, aerobic physical activity a day, including vigorous intensity physical activity at least three days a week. Examples included are:
- Moderate-intensity aerobic activities such as hiking, skateboarding, bicycle riding and brisk walking.
- Vigorous-intensity aerobic activities such as bicycle riding, jumping rope, running and sports, such as soccer, basketball, and ice or field hockey.
The Guidelines also recommend that children and adolescents incorporate muscle-strengthening activities, such as rope climbing, sit-ups, and tug-of war, three days a week, and bone-strengthening activities, such as jumping rope, running and skipping three days a week.
Learn more about what the guidelines recommend for children and adolescents, share the information with physical education and classroom teachers and be sure students fuel up at school with the Food Groups to Encourage for the energy to stay active.
