New guidance report released from the Chief Medical Officers in the UK on the amount and type of physical activity people should be doing to improve their health.

This report presents an update to the 2011 physical activity guidelines issued by the four Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK CMOs draw upon global evidence to present guidelines for different age groups, covering the volume, duration, frequency and type of physical activity required across the life course to achieve health benefits.

This report emphasises the importance of regular activity for people of all ages, and for the first time presents additional guidance on being active during pregnancy, and after giving birth, and for disabled adults. These new guidelines are broadly consistent with previous ones, while also introducing some new elements and allowing for more flexibility in achieving the recommended levels of physical activity for each age group.