afPE Response: New Government guidelines on physical activity for children and adults

18/07/11

The Association for Physical Education greatly welcomes the publication on 11th July 2011 of physical activity guidelines for children and adults. These new guidelines are significant in a number of ways: they are based on up-to-date scientific evidence; are UK wide; and cover the entire lifespan from cradle to grave. They have a renewed focus on being active every day and highlight the risks of excessive sedentary behaviour, which exist independently of any overall volume of physical activity.

The guidelines clarify the recommended minimum levels of activity for each age group which are:

Under-fives
180 minutes – (three hours) – each day, once a child is able to walk.
For non-walkers physical activity should be encouraged from birth, particularly through floor-based play and water-based activities in safe environments.

Children and young people (5-18 year olds)
60 minutes and up to several hours every day of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity. Three days a week should include vigorous intensity activities that strengthen muscle and bone.

Adults (19-64 years old) and older people (65+)
150 minutes – (two and half hours) – each week of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (and adults should aim to do some physical activity every day). Muscle strengthening activity should also be included twice a week.

The guidelines are flexible and encourage the creation of new ways of achieving the health benefits of an active lifestyle.  They are supported by factsheets which the Association for Physical Education considers very useful for all individuals involved in facilitating, supporting and delivering physical activity to children and adults. The British Heart Foundation National Centre is currently preparing tools for schools, parents, health professionals and practitioners to help interpret the guidelines and provide practical tips.

The Association for Physical Education considers that the new guidelines provide an increased stimulus for the provision of high quality physical activity experiences throughout life, centred on and around strong and dynamic physical education programmes in schools, which develop children’s competence, confidence and desire to be active as often as possible in school and community settings, and to go on to be active, healthy and responsible adults.

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