Beginning around the early 1950 s, there evolved a philosophy based on the health benefits of physical activity. As a result various individuals, organizations and the government began promoting physical fitness programs. However, these programs were based on an athletic approach that emphasized vigorous exercise. And while a certain percentage of the American population embraced these goals, the majority continued their sedentary lifestyles. Then in the 1990 s a new approach emerged that recognized the health benefits of moderate physical activity and the importance of including a large segment of the population. This led the American College of Sports Medicine to acknowledge that there was a difference between the activity level required to achieve and maintain fitness and the activity level needed to promote good health.
Throughout the 1990 s more studies acknowledged that only a small segment of the population could and would meet the standards that had been set for vigorous physical activity. And definite health benefits could still be realized though lower levels of activity. Further a very large portion of the American population was sedentary or totally inactive. So a public health gain could be realized if this group could be encouraged to engage in some physical activity. However, there was difficulty in deciding how much physical activity was required and whether this activity would be the same for different age groups.
Finally, in June of 2007 a Committee was formed to meet and establish a set of physical activity guidelines for Americans. The committee comprised medical doctors and scholars from leading hospitals, medical schools and universities throughout the United States. After a comprehensive study of the scientific research that had been published regarding physical activity and health for over a decade, the committee developed a set of guidelines and recommendations that was published in 2008. According to these guidelines children and adolescents should participate in at least one hour and preferably more of moderate of vigorous physical activity each day. On at least three days a week this hour should be devoted to vigorous physical activity. In addition, muscle strengthening and bone building activities are recommended for three days a week.
Adults were advised to engage in two and one half hours a week of moderate aerobic activity such as walking, water aerobics and dancing. This amounts to thirty minutes per day and could be broken up into three sessions. However, each session should be at least ten minutes. One hour and fifteen minutes of vigorous activity could replace the two and one half hours of moderate activity. The guidelines also recommend that adults perform muscle strengthening activities at least two days a week. Older adults were advised to include exercises to maintain and improve balance in addition to following the adult lines to the best of their capability.
To help people follow the guidelines, the Health Department issued a booklet of advice for individuals entitled Be Active Your Way. In addition to personalized advice on how to incorporate physical activity into your daily life, the booklet also includes blank forms that one can use to track their activities by the week.
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