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Physical Activity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives,
Protecting People Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four
seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People

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 * About Physical Activity
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Physical Activity
Physical Activity Home
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 2. Physical Activity




PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BASICS

Physical Activity Basics
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Food Assistance and Food Systems Resources





The evidence is clear—physical activity can make you feel better, function
better, and sleep better. Even one session of moderate-to-vigorous physical
activity reduces anxiety, and even short bouts of physical activity are
beneficial. Being physically active also fosters normal growth and development,
improves overall health, can reduce the risk of various chronic diseases.


PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BENEFITS

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for
your health.

See Benefits

Physical Activity for Different Groups

View Recommendations

Children and Adolescents
How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need?
Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child’s Life
Aerobic, Muscle- and Bone-Strengthening: What Counts for School-Aged Children
and Adolescents?

Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Can Healthy Pregnant and Postpartum Women be Physically Active?
Physical Activity Recommendations for Pregnant and Postpartum Women [PDF-428KB]

Adults
How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need?
Adding Physical Activity to Your Life

Older Adults
How Much Physical Activity Do Older Adults Need?
Making Physical Activity a Part of an Older Adult’s Life

Adults with Chronic Health Conditions and Disabilities

Physical Activity for People With Disability
Physical Activity Recommendations, Benefits, and Examples
Key Guidelines Adults with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities [PDF-14.4MB]
Health Benefits Associated With Regular Physical Activity for People with
Chronic Conditions and Disabilities [PDF-14.4MB]




BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for chronic disease.

 * Immediate Benefits and Brain Health [PDF-14.5MB].
 * Weight Management.
 * Reduced Risk of Chronic Disease.
 * Lowered risk of several common cancers.
 * Strengthen Bones and Muscles.
 * Improve Ability to Do Daily Activities and Prevent Falls.
 * Increase Chance of Living Longer.
 * Health Benefits for Adults.
 * Health Benefits for Children.


MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS

Learn how to measure your physical fitness level and progress toward your
fitness goals over time.

 * Measuring Physical Activity Intensity
 * Perceived Exertion (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale)
 * Target Heart Rate and Estimated Maximum Heart Rate
 * Physical Activity Diary [PDF-571KB]

Having Trouble Getting Started? See:

Getting Started With Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight

Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity

Find Places to Be Physically Active


PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition outlines the amounts
and types of physical activity needed to maintain or improve overall health and
reduce the risk of chronic disease. It also highlights individual and
community-level strategies that can make being physically active easier in the
places where people live, learn, work, and play.

Complementary Resources

 * Top 10 Things to Know About the Second Edition of the Physical Activity
   Guidelines for Americans.
 * The Move Your WaySM campaign resources are designed to help further explain
   the Guidelines. These include interactive tools, fact sheets, videos, and
   graphics that are available for communities, health professionals, and
   others. The material is designed to promote the health benefits of meeting
   the new recommendations and offers tips for how to help people become more
   active.

Connect with Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
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Last Reviewed: October 16, 2023
Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * LinkedIn
 * Syndicate

homePhysical Activity
 * About Physical Activityplus icon
   * Why It Matters
   * What CDC Is Doing
   * Making A Difference
 * Physical Activity Basicsplus icon
   * Childrenplus icon
     * Aerobic, Muscle- and Bone-Strengthening: What Counts for School-Aged
       Children and Adolescents?
   * Healthy Pregnant and Postpartum Womenplus icon
     * Physical Activity Recommendations for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
   * Adults
   * Older Adults
   * Adults with Chronic Health Conditions and Disabilities
   * Physical Activity for Different Groups
   * Benefits of Physical Activityplus icon
     * Physical Activity and Cancer
     * Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children, Adults, and Adults 65
       and Older
   * Adding Physical Activity to Your Lifeplus icon
     * Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child’s Life
     * Adding Physical Activity as an Older Adult
     * Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity
     * Places to Be Physically Active
   * Measuring Physical Activity Intensityplus icon
     * Perceived Exertion
     * Target heart Rate & Estimated Maximum Heart Rate
 * Data & Statisticsplus icon
   * Adult Physical Inactivity Prevalence Maps
   * Surveillance Systems
 * Guidelines & Recommendations
 * Resources Libraryplus icon
   * Reportsplus icon
     * Adults Need More Physical Activity
   * Fact Sheets & Infographicsplus icon
     * Physical Activity and Military Readiness
   * Active Communities Tool (ACT)plus icon
     * Action Planning Guide
     * Assessment Modules
     * About the Assessment Modules
     * Module 1: Street Design and Connectivity
     * Module 2: Infrastructure to Accommodate Pedestriansplus icon
       * Module 2A: Infrastructure to Accommodate Pedestrians and Bicyclists
       * Module 2B: Infrastructure to Accommodate Pedestrians
       * Module 2C: Infrastructure to Accommodate Bicyclists
     * Module 3: Public Transportation
     * Module 4: Land Use Planning
     * Module 5: Parks and Recreational Facilities
     * Module 6: Schools
   * Built Environment Assessment Tool Manual
 * Initiativesplus icon
   * Walking
   * Step It Up! Surgeon General’s Call to Action
 * Active People, Healthy Nationplus icon
   * About Active People, Healthy Nation
   * Why Should People be Active?
   * Getting Startedplus icon
     * Individual Influencers
     * Organizations
     * Community Champions
   * Strategies to Increase Physical Activity
   * Tools for Actionplus icon
     * Arts and Culture
     * Community, Nonprofit, and Faith-based Organizations
     * Education
     * Employers
     * Government
     * Health Care
     * Land Use and Community Design
     * Media and Strategic Communication
     * Parks, Recreation and Green Spaces
     * Public Health
     * Sports and Fitness
     * Transportation
   * Data and Progress
   * Multimedia Toolsplus icon
     * Moving Matters Campaign Partner Resources
     * Moving Matters Campaign Partner Spanish Resources
   * Moving Matters Campaign
 * State and Local Strategiesplus icon
   * Priority Strategy: Increasing Physical Activity Through Community
     Designplus icon
     * Resources
     * Real-World Examples
     * Visual Guide
     * Definitions
   * Access to Places for Physical Activity
   * School and Youth Programs
   * Community-Wide Campaigns
   * Social Supports
   * Individual Supports
   * Prompts to Encourage Physical Activity
   * Equitable and Inclusive Access

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Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
 * About Us
 * Nutrition
 * Physical Activity
 * Overweight & Obesity
 * Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity
 * Breastfeeding
 * Micronutrient Malnutrition
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 * Salt

Related Topics
 * Physical Activity for Arthritis
 * Diabetes — Get Active
 * Physical Activity for People with Disabilities
 * Prevent Heart Disease
 * Healthy Schools – Promoting Healthy Behaviors
 * Healthy Aging


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