Table 1.
Historical evolution in physical activity recommendations and guidelines
| Physical activity recommendations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Minutes | Frequency | Reference | |
| 1970s–1980s | Vigorous exercise (e.g. running) | 20 min·day−1 | 3 times·week−1 | (American College of Sports Medicine, 1978) |
| 1990s | Moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking) | 30 min·day−1 | Most days of the week | (Pate et al., 1995; Physical activity and cardiovascular health, 1996) |
| 2000s | Moderate exercise | 60 min·day−1 | 3 times·week−1 | (Lee, 2007) |
| 2010 (healthy adults ages 18–45) | Moderate exercise | 30 min·day−1 (150 min week−1) | Most days of the week (5 days·week−1) | (O'Donovan et al., 2010) |
| Vigorous exercise | 75 min·week−1 | (O'Donovan et al., 2010) | ||