This website is intended for UK healthcare professionals only
User log in




Trial log in
  

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Regular moderate* exercise (30 min [or 3x10 min] a day on at least 5 days of the week) has health benefits, including: increased bone density, better mental health, reduced risk of CHD, stroke and diabetes; it is also a good way to prevent obesity, alongside managing diet.

*What is moderate exercise?At least 10 min continuous physical activity, vigorous enough to increase heart and respiratory rate; person may sweat, but can carry on a conversation; can talk, but can't sing.

Recently, evidence has emerged that any exercise - even as little as walking for a minute or two every day - is better for overall health than none at all. It has been suggested that current targets, which may deter some patients from attempting to increase physical activity, may need to be revised. 

See also Health promotion

Practice Nurse featured article 

Lifestyle, health and wellbeing – COVID-19 and beyond Rhian Last

Health promotion: quick wins Katherine Hunt

NHS Digital. Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England, 2021. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-obesity-physical-activity-and-diet

NICE PH44 Physical activity: brief advice for adults in primary care, 2013 (Reviewed 2016) https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/PH44

Return to index