Physical Activity Guidelines and Prevalence in Australia

1. UNIT 2 – Physical activity guidelines and prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviour

2. Key knowledge • The dimensions of the Australian National Physical Activity Guidelines for all stages of the lifespan • Current levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Australia

3. Key skills • Describe the National Physical Activity Guidelines across the lifespan and assess the adherence to these guidelines • Collect, analyse and interpret data relating to the current levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Australia

4. OVERVIEW

5. National Physical Activity Guidelines • Within developed countries an important role of governments is to set national physical activity guidelines • By the 90’s it was recognised that only a small proportion of the population were meeting fitness based guidelines • A report in 1996 recommended that significant health gains could be obtained from engaging in moderate – intensity physical activity on most days of the week

6. Adults • The National Physical Activity Guidelines are a minimum recommendation for good health (compared to the demands of an athlete) • The guidelines encourage all forms of movement including moderate – intensity activity • The guidelines also include the benefit of vigorous – intensity physical activity • These guidelines should be combined with a healthy eating plan

7. Young children • Children under 5 tend to be spontaneous in their forms of physical activity • Research shows that active play assists children to develop muscles, bones and the heart, fundamental motor skills and communication and social skills • Exploration through play should allow children to build things, climb, run, dance, jump, hop and use their imagination

8. Young children • Young children should have opportunities to accumulate physical activity through: • Unstructured ‘free’ play – sand pit, dress ups • Structured play – creative movement classes • Active transport – scooter, bicycle • Everyday physical tasks – helping with gardening, meals or picking up toys

9. Children and youth • Children – 5-12 years old (primary aged) • Youth – 12-18 years old (secondary aged) • Children and youth should participate in a range of different types of physical activity • This should include weightbearing impact-type activities (skipping, jogging, hopping, jumping, etc) which are important for bone health • This guideline targets free time as times of sedentary behaviour are unavoidable due to the constraints of homework at a youth age

10. Older people • All older people are encouraged to do some form of physical activity regardless of health or fitness levels • Forms of fitness should incorporate strength, balance and flexibility • 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, and preferably all days is recommended • This will assist in preventing issues associated with aging

11. Overweight or obese people • It is recommended that overweight or obese people engage in 60 minutes of physical activity per day • Once the weight has been lost this should increase to 60-90 minutes of activity per day to avoid weight gain

14. Thinking it through • What are the physical activity recommendations for healthy weight adults? • Describe the recommendations for adults that encourages vigorous physical activity • Identify five important types of physical activity for 0-5 year olds. Select one of these and provide some specific examples • Outline the recommendations relating to screen time for a 2-3 year old