For the first time in Canada, research developed by several national organizations has yielded a set of recommendations, entitled: the “Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines: An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep.”
The guidelines were created in collaboration with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), the Public Health Agency of Canada, Queen’s University, ParticipACTION, and other national experts in the field.
“It gives specific guidance as to how we should move throughout the day in order to promote and preserve our health,” says Dr. Mark Tremblay, Senior Scientist and Director, Healthy Active Living and Obesity, Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute.
The guidelines offer a breakdown on the optimal amount of time for physical activity, sedentary behaviour (rest) and sleep for adults between 18-64 year of age and separately for those 64 years and older.
Guidance is also provided on screen time, within a 24-hour-period, for adults.
“With these guidelines for adults, we have now completed the family of 24-hour movement guidelines for the early years, for children and youth and for adults, says Dr. Tremblay.
Previously, similar guidelines have been published for children between 0 to 4 years of age (Early Years) and 5 to 17-year olds (children and youth). The new guidelines target two separate groups of adults, namely those between 18 to 64 years of age and those 65 years and older.
“We’ve now got this guidance that is associated with dramatic health benefits across a whole spectrum of health indicators — for the whole family, ” adds Dr. Tremblay. He is also the Chief Scientific Officer for the ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, published annually. The 2020 Report Card was released in June.
Related links:
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
Public Health Agency of Canada
Queen’s University: Make Your Whole Day Matter
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
