Recommendation on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents

Updated recommendation for children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years

Based on the best scientific evidence, the recommendation on physical activity for children and adolescents describes how much and what kind of physical activity children and adolescents need in order to ensure their wellbeing.

According to the recommendation, it is good to be physically active every day of the week, most of the physical activity being endurance activity. Vigorous endurance-type activity and physical activity that increases the strength of the musclular and skeletal system should be performed at least three days a week. Physical activity should be versatile, in which case different movement skills develop. Attention should also be paid to flexibility.

The recommended amount of physical activity can be accumulated from several sessions of physical activity during the day. A smaller amount of physical activity is also beneficial, even if the recommendation is not met every day.

The joy of physical activity helps to create a lasting physical activity routine and find lasting hobbies. All children and adolescents should engage in daily physical activity that is safe and equally available to everyone.

The animation video presents the key contents of the physical activity recommendation for children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years by following how Aida and Pyry get their physical activity during the day.

All children and adolescents should be physically active every day

Physical activity recommendations apply equally to all children and adolescents, regardless of their potential disability, difficulty in motor learning or minority status. It is important to encourage children and adolescents to be physically active, and to provide all children and adolescents with opportunities to participate safely and equally in activities that are appropriate to their age and abilities and that are enjoyable and offer variety.

It would be good to distribute the recommended amount of physical activity evenly between different days of the week and to be physically active on most days of the week, not just 1–2 days a week. Physical activity, in this context, includes all kinds of physical activity, such as play and games, physical activity and sports, physical activity during the school day as part of physical education, breaks or lessons, physical activity during leisure time independently or in connection with hobbies or sports activities or as part of housework, and moving actively from one place to another, for instance by walking, cycling or in a wheelchair.

Source

The working group for the recommendation on physical activity for children and adolescents appointed by the coordination body for sports policy. Recommendation on physical activity for children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years. 2021. Report series of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland 2021:19.