Age-Appropriate Recommendations for Increased Physical Activity
| Infant (0–1 y) | Toddler (1–3 y) | Preschool (3–5 y) | Elementary (5–10 y) | Middle School (11–14 y) | Adolescence (15–18 y) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily |
| Intensity | Any | Any | Any, including some moderate to vigorous | Moderate to vigorous | Moderate to vigorous | Moderate to vigorous |
| Time | Several times per day | At least 180 min/d | At least 180 min/d, of which at least 60 min are moderate-to-vigorous intensity | At least 60 min/d | At least 60 min/d | At least 60 min/d |
| Type | Interactive floor-based play and at least 30 min of tummy time spread throughout the day while awake | Activities that develop gross motor skills; examples include walking in the neighborhood, unorganized free play outdoors, walking through a park or zoo, or playing on a playground for toddlers | Activities that develop gross motor skills; unorganized free play in a safe environment; activities include walking, running, swimming, tumbling, throwing, and catching | Aerobic daily; vigorous activity, muscle, and bone- strengthening at least 3 d/wk; include free play with opportunities for fundamental movement skill development through walk, dance, jump rope. Introduce organized sports with flexible rules and short instruction time with a focus on enjoyment rather than competition | Aerobic daily; vigorous activity, muscle, and bone- strengthening at least 3 d/wk; incorporate activities that are enjoyable and encourage socialization; avoid sports specialization | Aerobic daily; vigorous activity, muscle, and bone- strengthening at least 3 d/wk; incorporate activities that are enjoyable and encourage socialization and competition, when appropriate |
Data are from references 9, 15, 73, 75, 83, and 84.