Most adults inactive
- A CDC-backed report says most American adults still aren't getting enough exercise to meet guidelines. (abc30.com) - Doctors recommend practical basics: hydrate, stretch before exercise, and take adequate rest between sessions. (abc30.com) - That aligns with recent coverage stressing simple, consistent habits over complex routines rather than extreme training. ( )
Fewer than half of U.S. adults met the federal aerobic exercise target in 2024, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-backed report. (abc30.com) The benchmark is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, plus muscle-strengthening work on at least two days a week under the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. (cdc.gov) (odphp.health.gov) ABC30 reported the new figure at 47.2% for adults meeting the aerobic guideline in 2024. Federal health agencies have long said the gap is larger for the full standard that includes both cardio and strength work. (abc30.com) (cdc.gov) The exercise target is not built around gym culture or race training. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says adults can split the 150 minutes into smaller blocks, including 30 minutes a day on five days a week. (cdc.gov) Federal health officials tie regular movement to lower risk for chronic disease, better mental health, and better quality of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says only one in four U.S. adults fully meets both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guideline. (cdc.gov 1) (cdc.gov 2) The problem is not spread evenly across the country. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on leisure-time inactivity show differences by state, location, and race and ethnicity, with overall adult inactivity outside work at 25.3% in combined 2017-2020 data. (cdc.gov) Public health officials are trying to move those numbers before 2027. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active People, Healthy Nation initiative says it aims to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by that year. (cdc.gov) Doctors interviewed by ABC30 said the advice for people starting or resuming exercise is basic: drink water, stretch, and leave enough recovery time between hard sessions. Major medical groups also recommend hydration and warmups as part of workout preparation. (abc30.com) (heart.org 1) (heart.org 2) Stretching guidance is more specific than many people assume. Mayo Clinic says stretching is best after exercise, when muscles are warm, while the American Heart Association says warming up and cooling down can improve performance and make exercise easier on the heart. (mayoclinic.org) (heart.org) The federal message has stayed simple: some activity is better than none, and the target can be reached a few minutes at a time. The new 2024 figure shows most adults still are not there. (cdc.gov) (abc30.com)
