Several major health reports, including the 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, have documented the many health benefits of regular physical activity for adults. Those reports cite numerous studies that show many adult health problems, such as heart disease, hypertension and osteoporosis, are associated with inactivity and the cumulative effects of unhealthy lifestyles.
Physical fitness is a lifelong process.
Physically active children are more likely to grow up to be physically active adults. Inactive children and youth are much more inclined to be sedentary adults, who in turn are at higher risk for chronic disease. But children are not little adults, nor do adult exercise guidelines necessarily apply to them. Accumulating more than 60 minutes and up to several hours per day of age and developmentally appropriate activities is encouraged. Participating in activities that vary in time and intensity, some lasting from 10 to 15 minutes or more, alternating moderate to vigorous activity with brief periods of rest and recovery.