The World Health Organization is encouraging people to adopt its physical activity guidelines as an added defense against COVID-19.
Saying every move counts toward better health, the organization emphasizes that people of all ages and abilities can be physically active.
Physical activity is beneficial, it said. Activities including work, sport, leisure, walking and cycling, dancing, playing and everyday household tasks like gardening and cleaning are helpful.
The organization said up to 5 million deaths a year could be avoided if people were more active. Keeping active is now more important since many are home-bound owing to COVID-19 restrictions.
The organization guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity a week for adults.
Children up to 17 years need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily. These activities should be mostly aerobic - such as jogging or biking. Activities that strengthen muscle and bone are also necessary.
For adults up to 64, getting at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week can reduce the risk of early death, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.
Those 65 years or older are advised to add activities emphasizing balance, coordination and muscle strengthening to help prevent falls and improve health. The guidelines recommend they do at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes to 150 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise throughout the week.
It encourages women to maintain regular physical activity throughout and after pregnancy. It also highlights the benefits of physical activity for people with disabilities.
The organization said regular physical activity is important for preventing and managing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Regular physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduce cognitive decline, improve memory and boost brain health.
"Being physically active is critical for health and well-being - it can help to add years to life and life to years," said organization director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
"Every move counts, especially now as we manage the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must all move every day - safely and creatively."
Dr. Ruediger Krech, the organization's director of health promotion, said physical activity of any type and any duration can improve health and well-being "but more is always better and if you must spend a lot of time sitting still, whether at work or school, you should do more physical activity to counter the harmful effects of sedentary behavior.
Organization statistics show one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents, don't get enough physical activity.
