New Exercise Guidelines Released

In their efforts to improve America's public health, the American College of Sports Medicine and American Heart Association released new exercise guidelines. According to these leading health groups, adults should participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (accelerated walking, light jogging or similar heart rate accelerating activity) five days per week. Alternatively, they recommend adults participate in vigorous-intensity exercise (moderate jogging or similar activity that causes rapid breathing and substantial increase in heart rate) for a minimum of 20 minutes three days per week. The guidelines also suggest adults engage in 8 to 10 weightlifting exercises to improve muscle strength and endurance on two nonconsecutive days per week. For those 65 and older, the guidelines additionally recommend flexibility and balance exercises to assist in preventing fall-type injuries.