The confinement and the long list of limitations to our movements that the coronavirus has imposed on us have led to the
advance of sedentarism
, another great pandemic that has affected the world population for decades, despite the fact that, according to the World Health Organization ( WHO),
up to five million deaths a year could be prevented
simply by moving a little more, one in four adults and four out of five adolescents not getting enough activity
"Although it is still a bit early, data are already coming out that reflect a decrease in physical activity in some countries during 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 crisis," says Juana Willumsen, technical officer of the Physical Activity Unit In this scenario, the organization that watches over global well-being published, at the end of last November, the
new recommendations on physical exercise
in which some minor modifications are collected with respect to the proposals in 2010.
children and adolescents between five and 17 years
, it is advised to "accumulate a
average 60 minutes of physical activity per day
(mainly aerobic) from moderate to intense throughout the week. "Also complete, at least,
three sessions of specific exercises to strengthen
muscles and bones as well as limiting the time spent in sedentary activities, particularly that spent in front of a screen.
150 and 300 minutes per week
(Only a minimum of 150 was mentioned in the previous document).
That is the period that the
adults between the ages of 18 and 64
"We have been able to verify that, in that time range, is where the greatest benefits are obtained for the
prevention of certain non-communicable diseases
, such as cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer and diabetes, reducing, in the same way, the symptoms of depression and anxiety, "explains Willumsen. Furthermore, it is no longer mentioned what should be the minimum duration of exercise 'mini-pills' what we should do during the day. "Thanks to the data provided by the physical activity measuring devices, we have been able to observe that every movement counts.
These do not need to last for a minimum of 10 minutes to be beneficial to health
"In an attempt to break down the supposed psychological barrier that sports can pose for some people, the WHO now proposes, more forcefully than ever,"
accumulate movement throughout the day with different types of daily actions
like walking, taking the stairs instead of using the elevator, walking the dog and even doing housework. "It all counts:" The simple fact that
get up from the chair
During our working day to take small walks it already brings us multiple benefits. "Does this commitment to daily movement mean a lowering of the WHO bar?" Of course not.
Not that you ask for less;
what we want is to also reach those
people who like or don't feel comfortable playing sports
to give them other alternative options that will also help them adopt a more active and therefore healthy lifestyle. "What's more, Willumsen continues," even those who go to the gym to try to compensate for a very sedentary lifestyle have to
increase your daily physical activity
"These new guidelines also emphasize the importance of carrying out, two or three days a week,
strength routines
in which all the main muscle groups are exercised moderately or intensely In addition to putting into practice the advice stipulated for the previous age group, the
over 65 years
They must emphasize the performance of routines that, in addition to maintaining good muscle tone, help them to
work endurance, balance and coordination
to improve their functional capacity and thus prevent possible falls.
To continue reading for free
Sign inSign up
Or
subscribe to Premium
and you will have access to all the web content of El Mundo
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more