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Guidelines on physical activity for older people (aged 65 years and over) Research Completed

Title

Guidelines on physical activity for older people (aged 65 years and over)

Lead Author

Ministry of Health

Organisation(s)

Ministry of Health, New Zealand

Publication Year

2013

Publisher

Ministry of Health, January 2013

Contacts

E-mail the Ministry at info@health.govt.nz

or phone: 0800 855 066

Abstract

This Guideline gives five key recommendations to help older people live longer, healthier lives. These recommendations are:

to be as physically active as possible and limit sedentary behaviour;
to consult an appropriate health practitioner before starting or increasing physical activity;
to start off slowly and build up to the recommended daily physical activity levels;
aim to increase physical activity on five days per week for at least 30 minutes if the activity is of moderate-intensity; 15 minutes if it is of vigorous-intensity; or a mixture of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity;
and aim to do three sessions of flexibility and balance activities, and two sessions of muscle-strengthening activities per week.

Keywords:

physical activity guidelines

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