Final answer:
U.S. adults should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week, as per the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines. This can be spread across most days of the week and also include muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days.
Step-by-step explanation:
To fulfill the recommendations put forth by entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), every adult in the U.S. should aim to accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. This level of activity aligns with the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans which suggest 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week. To achieve substantial health benefits, adults should ideally engage in these activities on most, or preferably all days of the week.
Moderate-intensity activities can be described as those where an individual can talk, but not sing, and they include exercises like walking briskly or bicycling leisurely. For muscle strengthening, activities involving all major muscle groups should be done on 2 or more days per week, which can include exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and weight lifting. Regular physical activity is known to offer a plethora of health benefits including improved cardiovascular and muscular fitness, healthier bone density, and better cognitive function, among others.