What are the Australian recommendations for the number of minutes children between the ages of 5 12 should be participating in physical activity each day?

The degree of involvement of the population in physical activity is increasingly being considered a significant public health issue. In response, National Physical Activity Guidelines (NPAG) have been established to promote the importance of physical activity in our daily life. The goal is to get people moving & make a positive difference to their health. It is recommended that significant health gains could be obtained from engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week. The NPAG's for Australians outline the minimum levels of physical activity required to gain a health benefit & ways to incorporate incidental physical activity into everyday life.

Children (0-5 years)
Physical Activity Recommendations:

For health development in infants (birth to one year) physical activity – particularly supervised floor-based play in safe environments – should be encouraged from birth.
Toddlers (1 to 3 years) and pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years) should be physically active every day for at least three hours, spread throughout the day.

Sedentary Behaviour Recommendations:

Children younger than 2 years of age should not spend any time watching television or using other electronic media.
For Children 2 to 5 years of age, sitting and watching television and the use of other electronic media should be limited to less than one hour per day.
Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers (all children birth to 5 years) should not be sedentary, restrained, or kept inactive, for more than one hour at a time, with the exception of sleeping.

Children (5-12 years)
Physical Activity Recommendations:

For health benefits, children aged 5–12 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day.
Children’s physical activity should include a variety of aerobic activities, including some vigorous intensity activity.
On at least three days per week, children should engage in activities that strengthen muscle and bone.
To achieve additional health benefits, children should engage in more activity – up to several hours per day.

Sedentary Behaviour Recommendations:
To reduce health risks, children aged 5-12 years should minimise the time they spend being sedentary every day. To achieve this:

- Limit use of electronic media for entertainment to no more than two hours a day – lower levels are associated with reduced health risks.
- Break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.

Young People (13-17 years)
Physical Activity Guidelines:

Should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day.
Physical activity should include a variety of aerobic activities, including some vigorous intensity activity.
On at least three days per week, young people should engage in activities that strengthen muscle and bone.
To achieve additional health benefits, young people should engage in more activity – up to several hours per day.

Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines:

To reduce health risks, young people aged 13–17 years should minimise the time they spend being sedentary every day. To achieve this:
- Limit use of electronic media for entertainment to no more than two hours a day – lower levels are associated with reduced health risks.
- Break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.

Adults (18-64 years)
Physical Activity Guidelines:

Doing any physical activity is better than doing none. If you currently do no physical activity, start by doing some, and gradually build up to the recommended amount.
Be active on most, preferably all, days every week.
Accumulate 150 to 300 minutes (2 ½ to 5 hours) of moderate intensity physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes (1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours) of vigorous intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both moderate and vigorous activities, each week.
Do muscle strengthening activities on at least 2 days each week.

Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines:

Minimise the amount of time spent in prolonged sitting.
Break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.

Physical Activity Recommendations for Older AustraliansThere are five physical activity recommendations for older Australians.

Should do some form of physical activity, no matter what their age, weight, health problems or abilities.
Should be active every day in as many ways as possible, doing a range of physical activities that incorporate fitness, strength, balance and flexibility.
Should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days.
Older people who have stopped physical activity, or who are starting a new physical activity, should start at a level that is easily manageable and gradually build up the recommended amount, type and frequency of activity.
Older people who continue to enjoy a lifetime of vigorous physical activity should carry on doing so in a manner suited to their capability into later life, provided recommended safety procedures and guidelines are adhered to.

Posted on 28.11.2017

The first in a series of stories featuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for various age groups as provided by the Australian Government, Department of Health.

Being physically active is good for kids’ health, and creates opportunities for making new friends and developing physical and social skills. These Guidelines are for all children aged 5-12 years who have started school, irrespective of cultural background, gender or ability.

The guidelines are outlined below and are also available in the Make your move – Sit less – Be active for life! brochure which provides further information and guidance about physical activity, play, sedentary behaviour (sitting) and ‘screen time’ for children.

Physical Activity

For health benefits, children aged 5–12 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day.
Children’s physical activity should include a variety of aerobic activities, including some vigorous intensity activity.
On at least three days per week, children should engage in activities that strengthen muscle and bone.
To achieve additional health benefits, children should engage in more activity – up to several hours per day.

Sedentary Behaviour

To reduce health risks, children aged 5-12 years should minimise the time they spend being sedentary every day. To achieve this:
- Limit use of electronic media for entertainment (e.g. television, seated electronic games and computer use) to no more than two hours a day – lower levels are associated with reduced health risks.
- Break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.

Source
Australian Government, Department of Health

To read more on the Physical Activity Guidelines and other interesting articles,
go to Physical Activity

For health benefits, children aged 5–12 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day.
Children’s physical activity should include a variety of aerobic activities, including some vigorous intensity activity.
On at least three days per week, children should engage in activities that strengthen muscle and bone.
To achieve additional health benefits, children should engage in more activity, up to several hours per day.

To reduce health risks, children aged 5-12 years should minimise the time they spend being sedentary every day. To achieve this:

Limit use of electronic media for entertainment (e.g. television, seated electronic games and computer use) to no more than two hours a day – lower levels are associated with reduced health risks.
Break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.