Final answer:
According to the Physical Activity Guidelines, adults should do at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, which equates to about 30 minutes most days for health benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for substantial health benefits, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to 300 minutes (5 hours) per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) to 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. When it comes to daily recommendations, engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week is suggested. For additional health benefits and to aid in weight loss and maintenance, increasing physical activity beyond 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week is recommended.
Moderate physical activities are defined as those where you “can talk, but not sing, during the activity” and vigorous activities as those where you “cannot say more than a few words without pausing for a breath.” It is also important for adults to include muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days per week.