Wearables · Health metrics
Physical activity and active minutes
How much physical activity adults need per week, what counts as moderate and vigorous, and how wearables track active minutes.
Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated
How much is recommended
WHO's 2020 guidelines recommend that adults do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days.
Why it matters
WHO notes that physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for noncommunicable diseases and that regular activity lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
How wearables track it
Devices classify activity intensity from movement and heart rate. Apple Watch, for example, tracks Move, Exercise and Stand goals. Definitions of 'active minutes' differ between brands.
Limitations
Wearable readings are estimates designed mainly for wellness and fitness. Accuracy varies by device, fit, skin, movement and model. They do not diagnose conditions; discuss concerning or persistent changes with a clinician.
Factors that can affect the result
- Occupation
- Mobility
- Device algorithm
- Heart rate zones
Questions people commonly ask
- Does strength training count?
- Yes — WHO recommends muscle-strengthening activity in addition to aerobic activity.
- Is some activity better than none?
- Yes. WHO emphasises that any amount of activity is better than none.
Related topics
Bring your health data together
What does this mean for your own health data? Log your results, follow trends over time and bring an organised summary to your next doctor's appointment.
Sources
- WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization, 2020.
- Physical activity — fact sheet. World Health Organization.
- Track daily activity with Apple Watch. Apple Watch User Guide.