Physical activity makes a significant contribution to disease prevention. For adults, the World Health Organization recommends at least 2.5 hours of health-promoting activity per week at moderate intensity. At a high intensity, the weekly workload is reduced to 75 minutes. Physical activity can be categorized on the basis of energy expenditure. The intensity of physical activity can be described on a person-specific basis using the metabolic equivalent (MET for short). For example, moderate physical activity corresponds to 3-6 MET, while heavy or high physical activity corresponds to a value > 6 MET. The World Health Organization has issued different recommendations for different age groups. You can find out which one applies to you in the table below:
| Person group | Recommended activity |
|---|
| Students | Walk (or cycle) to university/college and home from university/college every day Always take advantage of opportunities to exercise 2-3 sports sessions in the middle of the week (e.g. sports courses, gym, etc.) longer walks, cycling, swimming, sports activities at the weekend |
| adult professionals | Walk (or cycle) to work and home every day Always take advantage of opportunities to exercise (e.g. stairs instead of elevator) 2-3 sports sessions in the middle of the week (e.g. sports classes, gym, etc.) Longer walks, cycling, swimming, sports activities, gardening, repair work at home |
| Adults working from home | Daily walks, gardening or repair work at home Always take advantage of opportunities to exercise Occasional sports activities in the middle of the week (e.g. swimming etc.) Longer walks, cycling, sports activities at the weekend |
