Everyone, regardless of age or ability, needs and deserves to be physically active. By gradually increasing your activity level, and meeting age-appropriate physical activity recommendations, you will improve your overall health if you are not currently active.

The State Advisory Council on Physical Fitness established physical activity recommendations* for the following age categories:

Youth (ages 17 and under)

 Adult (ages 18 – 49)

 Older Adult (ages 50 and older)

It’s never too early, or too late to adopt a more active lifestyle. Just 10-minute segments of moderate physical activity done 3 times per day can improve your health if you are currently sedentary.

*Each physical activity recommendation statement incorporates guidelines from a variety of established groups (e.g. American College of Sports Medicine; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; Healthy People 2010 Objectives; International Council on Active Aging; National Association for Sport and Physical Education; President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; Surgeon General’s Office; World Health Organization).

The Maryland State Advisory Council on Physical Fitness recommends daily physical activity instead of being active “on most, preferably all days of the week” as stated in certain guidelines.