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Physical activity

Definition

The NHS collected information on exercise (for leisure or walking for transport) and workplace physical activity in order to assess whether people met the 2014 Physical Activity guidelines as defined by Australia’s Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines. Workplace physical activity was collected for the first time in NHS 2017-18. Data can be reported with or without workplace physical activity to allow comparability with NHS 2014-15.

To gauge levels of physical activity and to measure against the 2014 Physical Activity Guidelines NHS collected:

• Physical activity (exercise only)
• Workplace physical activity of persons aged 15 years and over who did any work in the last week (including unpaid workers)
• Type of physical activity undertaken in the last week (including walking as transport)
• Number of days physical activity undertaken in the last week (including walking as transport)
• Strength and toning sessions
• Level of physical activity undertaken
• Total and average minutes

Type of physical activity	Definition
Walking for fitness, recreation and sport	must have carried out for at least 10 minutes continuously
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Walking to get from place to place	excludes activities such as walking around a shopping centre as people tend to frequently pause while shopping must have carried out for at least 10 minutes continuously
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Moderate intensity exercise	comprises activities that caused a moderate increase in the heart rate or breathing of the respondent (e.g. gentle swimming, social tennis, golf) excludes any previously identified walking as well as household chores, gardening or yard work, and any activity carried out as part of a job
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Vigorous intensity exercise	comprises activities that caused a large increase in the respondent's heart rate or breathing (e.g. jogging, cycling, aerobics, competitive tennis) excludes any previously identified walking as well as household chores, gardening or yard work, and any activity carried out as part of a job
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Strength or toning exercises	activities designed to increase muscle strength or tone, such as lifting weights, resistance training, pull-ups, push-ups, or sit ups includes any Strengthening and toning exercises activities already mentioned
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Workplace physical activity	usual physical activity while at work on a typical work day must have carried out for at least 10 minutes continuously moderate activity in the workplace was defined as activity that caused a moderate increase in the heart rate or breathing of the respondent (e.g. brisk walking or carrying light lights) vigorous activity in the workplace was defined as activity that caused a large increase in heart rate or breathing (e.g. carrying or lifting heavy loads, digging or construction work)

• Young people (13-17 years) undertake at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity everyday, from a variety of activities including some vigorous.
• Adults (18-64 years) should be active most days of the week, accumulate 150 to 300 minutes moderate intensity physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity (or an equivalent combination each week), and do muscle strengthening activities on at least two days each week.
• Older Australians (65 years and over) should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days.

• For health benefits, young people aged 13-17 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day.
• Young peoples’ physical activity should include a variety of aerobic activities, including some vigorous intensity activity.
• On at least three days per week, young people should engage in activities that strengthen muscle and bone.
• To achieve additional health benefits, young people should engage in more activity – up to several hours per day.

• Number of days did physical activity for at least 60 minutes in the last week = 7 days and
• Total minutes undertaken vigorous physical activity in last week > 0 or Number of times undertaken vigorous exercise in last week > 0
• Number of days did strength or toning activities in the last week = 3-7 days

• Be active on most, preferably all, days every week.
• Accumulate 150 to 300 minutes (2 ½ to 5 hours) of moderate intensity physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes (1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours) of vigorous intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both moderate and vigorous activities, each week.
• Do muscle strengthening activities on at least 2 days each week.

• Number of days did physical activity in the last week = 5-7 days
• Number of days did strength or toning activities in the last week = 2-7 days and
• Total minutes undertaken physical activity in last week = at least 150 minutes

1. Older people should do some form of physical activity, no matter what their age, weight, health problems or abilities.
2. Older people should be active every day in as many ways as possible, doing a range of physical activities that incorporate fitness, strength, balance and flexibility.
3. Older people should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days.
4. Older people who have stopped physical activity, or who are starting a new physical activity, should start at a level that is easily manageable and gradually build up the recommended amount, type and frequency of activity.
5. Older people who continue to enjoy a lifetime of vigorous physical activity should carry on doing so in a manner suited to their capability into later life, provided recommended safety procedures and guidelines are adhered to.

• Number of days did physical activity in the last week = 7 days and
• Number of days did physical activity for at least 30 minutes in the last week = 5-7 days

• The information is 'as reported' by respondents and reflects the respondent's perception of the activity undertaken, the intensity of their participation, their level of fitness, etc. As a result, data should be interpreted with particular care.
• Although the moderate and vigorous exercise questions excluded household chores, gardening and yardwork, it is possible that some of these activities were included in responses.
• The application of intensity definitions reflected the respondent's perception of moderate or vigorous exercise or walking, and the purpose of that activity. Responses may have varied according to the type of activity performed, the intensity with which it was performed, the level of fitness of the participant, and their general health and other characteristics (e.g. age). For example, some respondents may consider jogging to be moderate exercise while others may consider it vigorous.
• In this survey, walking for fitness, recreation or sport and walking for transport are conceptually separate activities, and occasions should be recorded as of either type, not both. Respondents may, however, have reported the same occasions of walking in both sections, as, for example, they may have chosen to walk to work for the exercise rather than take the bus, but recorded this activity time as both walking for exercise and walking for transport.
• Strength and toning questions were asked about activity that was deliberately intended to increase muscle strength and tone. Time spent carrying out strength and toning activities was not collected separately to minutes of physical activity reported and therefore may not be included in calculations of total physical activity time, or subsequently whether guidelines are met.
• Strength and toning information may also form part of responses to the moderate/vigorous exercise. As such, due to the duplication of responses, the data cannot be combined with the other exercise data to contribute further to exercise measurements unless this duplication is considered appropriate.
• There were varying levels of child participation in answering the questions, depending on age, parental permission and presence of the child. The accuracy of reports for activities occurring when the parent was not present (for example, activities during the school day) may therefore vary.
• Physical Activity Guidelines can be assessed using Physical activity (exercise only) or All Physical activity (including workplace activity).