Visit the National Academies Press online and register for

Changes Over Time in the Recommended Volume of Physical 
Activity for Children and Adolescents
Year
Recommendation
Comment
1985
Vigorous physical activity 
for 20+ min/day on 
3+ days/week
Same as recommendation 
for adults; activity should be 
continuous
1995
Vigorous physical 
activity for 20+ min/
day on 3+ days/week or 
moderate physical activity 
for 30+ min/day on 
5+ days/week
Same as recommendation 
for adults; activity can be 
accumulated during the day in 
8- to 10-min bouts
2005
60+ min/day of mainly 
vigorous- or moderate- 
intensity physical activity
Recommendation specifically for 
children and adolescents; activity 
should be varied, developmentally 
appropriate, and enjoyable
Dose is the amount, or volume, of physical activity performed (see 
Box 2-2). For aerobic activities, dose is determined by the frequency, 
duration, and intensity of the activity. During the late 1970s and 1980s, 
the dose recommended for adults and children was 20 min or more of 
continuous vigorous activity on 3 or more days per week (HHS, 1984; 
ACSM, 1988). This recommendation, based largely on the dose required 
continued

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
66