A Roadmap to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

• For an overview of the development of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and important background information about physical activity, read Chapter 1—Introducing the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

  NOTE
  The Guidelines assume that many readers will not read all the chapters, but will read only what is relevant to them. Important information may therefore be repeated in several chapters.

• To learn about the health benefits of physical activity, read Chapter 2—Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits. This information may help motivate people to become regularly active.
• To understand how to do physical activity in a manner that meets the Guidelines:
  • For youth aged 6 to 17, including youth with disabilities, read Chapter 3—Active Children and Adolescents.
  • For adults aged 18 to 64, read Chapter 4—Active Adults.
  • For adults aged 65 and older, read Chapter 5—Active Older Adults. This chapter is also appropriate reading for adults younger than age 65 who have chronic conditions. The Guidelines for older adults are similar to those for other adults but add some specific considerations, such as guidelines for fall prevention.
  • For women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth (postpartum period), read the age-appropriate chapter and also the section on physical activity and pregnancy in Chapter 6—Safe and Active and Chapter 7—Additional Considerations for Some Adults.
  • For adults with disabilities, read Chapter 4—Active Adults and Chapter 7—Additional Considerations for Some Adults.
• To understand how to reduce the risks of activity–related injury, read Chapter 6—Safe and Active.
• Those interested in an overview of ways to help people participate regularly in physical activity should read Chapter 8—Taking Action: Increasing Physical Activity Levels of Americans.
• The Glossary contains definitions of key terms used in the Guidelines. Terms that are defined in the glossary are in bold the first time they are used.
• Additional information and resources relevant to the Guidelines are available in the Appendices.

top of page