The World Health Organization (WHO) just released its new guidelines for physical activity. These recommendations are based on the most up-to-date research on the health benefits of exercise and the harmful effects of sedentary lifestyles.
While we must take WHO guidelines with a grain of salt, especially considering they're the same organization that back in 1992 reclassified osteoporosis as a disease, they seem to be providing sound advice this time around that fits into a bone-healthy lifestyle.
What Counts As Physical Activity?
The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a broad definition of physical activity that includes all movement produced by skeletal muscle that requires energy expenditure. It doesn't matter why the activity is — if there’s movement, it counts.
They do distinguish between moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity activities. They also make recommendations for specific muscle-strengthening activities (like resistance training) and exercises for improving balance.
The report suggests many common forms of physical activity such as walking, cycling, sports, active recreation, and other forms of physical play done at any skill level.
Such activities, performed regularly, have been proven to help prevent and manage conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, regular physical activity helps prevent hypertension and obesity while improving mental health and overall quality of life.
Synopsis
The WHO defines physical activity as any movement produced by skeletal muscle that requires energy expenditure. That includes walking, cycling, sports, and active recreation. Such activities help prevent a variety of serious health conditions.
A Global Crisis Of Inactivity
Along with their new recommendations, the WHO guidelines also contained statistics on the global crisis of inactivity. These figures bring a sense of urgency to encouraging and facilitating more active lifestyles.
- 1.4 billion adults (more than a quarter of all adults) are insufficiently active.
- That includes one in three women and one in four men.
- In high-income countries, inactivity levels are twice as high as in low-income countries.
- Globally, physical activity levels haven't improved since 2001.
- In high-income countries the percentage of the population that is insufficiently active increased by five percent.
- Globally, 23% of men and 32% of women didn't meet physical activity recommendations.
The report attributes these troubling statistics to inaction during leisure time and sedentary behavior both at work and at home. They also point to increased use of “passive” modes of transportation– like driving a car or riding a bus. Making healthier choices about activities and transportation is a great first step for increasing activity levels.
Synopsis
Inactivity has reached crisis levels across the globe. More than a quarter of all adults are insufficiently active. High-income countries are less active than low-income countries. The report blames sedentary behavior both at work and at home, along with an increase in “passive” transportation.
WHO's New Exercise Guidelines
If you were previously aware of the WHO guidelines for physical activity, then you'll notice that the recommendations are quite similar. But this year, the report is taking into account research on the negative effects of prolonged sitting.
Here are the new guidelines for people aged 18 and older:
- they should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity; or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week
- should also do muscle-strengthening activities at a moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on two or more days a week, as these provide additional health benefits.
- may increase moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to more than 300 minutes; or do more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week for additional health benefits.
- should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits
The report recognizes that a high level of sedentary behavior has a negative impact on health. To counteract those harms, the guidelines recommend that all adults with sedentary jobs or leisure habits should aim to do more than the recommended levels of physical activity.
This new guideline is notable. If you work at a desk job where you sit all day, or your leisure activities include extended periods of sitting, you need to do more than the recommended amount of physical activity to remain healthy.
The report makes additional recommendations for adults aged 65 and older:
“As part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do varied multicomponent physical activity that emphasizes functional balance and strength training at moderate or greater intensity, on 3 or more days a week, to enhance functional capacity and to prevent falls.”
This focus on building strength and functional balance to prevent falls is especially pertitent for Savers.
Synopsis
The guidelines recommend 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. They also emphasize muscle-strengthening exercise, and for people 65 and older, balance and strength training to prevent falls.
Physical Activity And Bone Health
This new guideline is in alignment with the exercise recommendations of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.
Without regular physical activity, our muscles atrophy and our bones deteriorate. That's because our body changes to accommodate the tasks we use it for. The adage comes to mind: if you don't use it, you lose it!
When you're physically active, your muscles strengthen and apply pressure on your bones to create movement. Your body then responds to that pressure by making your bones stronger. This cause and effect are described by Wolff's Law. More simply put, exercise increases bone density.
Synopsis
The WHO guidelines are in agreement with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. Exercise increases bone density, in addition to its many other benefits.
What This Means To You
Pay attention to how much time you spend each week engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Are you getting at least the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week?
The Save Institute knows that changing your exercise habits can be a challenge. That's why we created SaveTrainer. SaveTrainer is an online workout platform that provides all the support you need to create an enjoyable and sustainable practice of regular physical activity.
Your health is the foundation on which your entire life is built. Without exercise, that foundation can crack and crumble. But with the right care and attention, your good health and strong bones will support a wonderful future.
References
1 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
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Jacqui, a study review published in 2017 in the Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal titled “Dental Implants in Patients With Osteoporosis – A Review” concludes that:
“…patients with osteoporosis do not appear to be at significant risk of implant failure. Patients with osteoporosis are not contraindicated for dental implants.”
So follow a pH-balanced diet, exercise on a regular basis, and stay away from stress and toxins 🙂
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What do you think about the covid vaccine you have said not to get the flu shot.
Is this different?-
Mary, Janet also asked about the COVID vaccine, and here’s my answer to her:
“It’s a very personal choice and a controversial topic. mRNA vaccines have never been used except for very specific clinical trials on cancer and animal studies on rabies and other diseases. So we must keep in mind that there hasn’t yet been any long-term testing of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
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I do NOT consider the World Health Organization to be credible anymore, sorry. They have been supporting China for years with money from the U.S. and look where it got us 🙁 I wish America would WAKE UP already since we are worse off now than 4 years ago….
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It so happens that this time, they got it right 🙂
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I have had me/cfs for 20 years so found t difficult to excercise..it’s not for everyine to tell them they can just do this and do that.
Then, as if that wasnt bad enough, i took prostate cancer and the Hormone injections can apparently thin your bones
My friend who has been Vegan for years told me when hearing of my cancer to ‘go vegan immediately’
2 years later my me/cfs (chronic fatigue) is nearly gone after having it for 20 odd years (i was in a wheelchair just 6 months ago)….i am walking without even a walking stick and i have tons of energy.
The hospital is trying to make me take BIOPHOSPHATES for my bones, even though i have not been tested for bone thinning. But now that my me/cfs is so much better, i can finally start walking and do things to promote better bone density, as well as being Vegan and eating lots of healthy veggies and green smoothies made in my blender.
No way will i ever tske BIOPHOSPHATES and no way will i ever take Chemotherapy, which even though it can shrink tumours the first time round…they have a habit of coming back and chemo doesnt work a second time. Chemo kills..i have done a lot of research on it. And BIOPHOSPHATES are Horrendous.
Thanks for reading my story and good health to you all.
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I’m sorry that you’ve been dealing with these health conditions, Bobby! But it’s so encouraging to see the huge improvements and your wonderful and positive attitude. Stay focused on your health, as you are now, and to sticking to a more natural, drug-free full recovery. I wish you all the best and please stay in touch and let us know of your progress.
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Vivian, I bought your New Expanded Edition of Save our Bones Program probably about 2014. I am now reading it again because I am having trouble with my knees. Dr. says I have fibrous dysplasia and wants me to go on medicine and have a bone density scan. I have started doing sitting exercises and stretches and a lot of the pain has diminished. I also walk. Started taking CoQ10 and cold processed olive oil. More or less I eat your recommendation of plant based diet. I am 79. Do you have any more suggestions?
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Norma, I admire your resilience and hands-on reaction to your diagnosis. Physical therapy can be very beneficial for your condition, as well as taking natural pain killers such as turmeric and tart cherry extract, in case you continue to experience it.
Continue with the diet and keep moving! I hope this will enhance the progress you’re already experiencing.
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My personal opinion. In our county we have Moderna to help combat Covid if we should get the virus. This virus is a dangerous one, so I’ve had my first dose of the shot even if I do have thin bones and fibromyalsia. No one can answer the question of how it may affect bones to a really accurate degree. I had a red rash on my arm and a sore arm and maybe a few chills. A friend had her 2nd shot and had vertigo and tiredness for a short time. She went to bed and was better next day. I’ve not heard of anything worse.
So far as exercise, at age 69 I’m still walking after the shot , usually 30-60 minutes a day. I applaud Save Institute for this excellent post and encourage anyone to walk if at all possible, even if they can only do 10 or 15 minutes on their feet they could do it 2 or more times during the day. I wear really warm clothes in winter and proper foot gear for icy conditions. The fresh air is good and I always feel more cheerful after a walk! I do most of my housework too, as moving is better than sitting.-
Thanks for sharing this with our community, Rosemary! Stay healthy and active 🙂
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I’m glad that CDC is now coming around with this guideline. They are late into the game as these guidelines have been around for a long time. I don’t take much into what CDC says now a days but it is good that they are at least admitting that activity is good for the body.
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Well said, Sue!
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I know this question is not about activity level and WHO recommended for exercise.
I was wanting to know your opinion on the COVID VACCINES and what effect it might have on our bones?-
It’s a very personal choice and a controversial topic. mRNA vaccines have never been used except for very specific clinical trials on cancer and animal studies on rabies and other diseases. So we must keep in mind that there hasn’t yet been any long-term testing of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Ive just almost completed a full mouth (top and bottom) implant treatment. In 7 weeks time it will be totally complete. How do I make sure the bones in my upper and lower jaws are strong ? I’m horrified that something should go wrong and the implants should fail and I end up with dentures. What can I do or eat to keep them strong ? Many thanks Jacqui