A World Health Organisation report which estimates 1.4 billion people worldwide are not doing enough physical exercise. Interesting this figure has hardly improved in 17 years.
We have known for a considerable time that inactivity raises health problems such as heart disease, some cancers and type-2-diabetes.
Among the least active were high income countries which includes the UK. Women were found to be more sedentary throughout the world
How much should we do?
Exercise guidelines for 19- to 64-year-olds
- At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week
- strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles
- break up long periods of sitting with light activity
Moderate aerobic activity: Walking fast, water aerobics, riding a bike on level ground or with a few hills, doubles tennis, pushing a lawn mower, hiking, skateboarding, rollerblading, volleyball, basketball
Vigorous activity: Jogging or running, swimming fast, riding a bike fast or on hills, singles tennis, football, rugby, skipping rope, hockey, aerobics, gymnastics, martial arts
Muscle Strengthening exercise: lifting weights, working with resistance bands, doing exercises that use your own body weight, such as push-ups and sit-ups, heavy gardening, such as digging and shovelling, yoga
Aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities: circuit training, aerobics, running, football, rugby, netball, hockey