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

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

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

OVERVIEW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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