Physical Activity

Evidence and Research

Over the last 30 years there has been a growing recognition that physical activity provides a health benefit. There is strong consistent epidemiological evidence linking a wide range of important health and social benefits to participation in regular moderate-intensity physical activity.

The Evidence

In 2004–05, 66% of adults had exercised for recreation, sport or fitness during the two weeks prior to interview. It should be noted that results from this survey relate only to exercise for sport, recreation or fitness, and therefore are not necessarily indicative of total physical activity; for example they could exclude physical activity at work.

Almost half (49%) of adults reported they walked for exercise in the two weeks prior to interview, 36% did some form of moderate exercise and 15% did vigorous exercise (table 24). Females were more likely to walk for exercise than males (54% compared with 45%) while males were more likely than females to do moderate exercise (39% compared with 32%) and vigorous exercise (18% compared with 11%). Moderate and vigorous exercise were most common among younger age groups while the highest proportions walking for exercise were recorded in the 55–64 and 65–74 year age groups (around 54%).

The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australia recommend exercise of at least a moderate level (including brisk walking), most days of the week for a total of 30 minutes or more on each of those days, and with each exercise session lasting 10 minutes or more. Results of the National Health Survey cannot be assessed directly in terms of these recommendations. The survey did find that 23% of those adults who exercised at a moderate level, and 21% of those who exercised at a vigorous level, exercised 7 times or more in the previous two weeks. For over 80% of these, the average duration of each session was 30 minutes or more. Of those who walked for exercise, 40% did so 7 times or more in the last 2 weeks. Also for those who walked, 85% did so for periods of 30 minutes or more on average.

For more information on the exercise levels and types of exercise for the Australian population please see the below tables taken from the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey 2004-05 (PDF 2 MB)

• Exercise Level, 2004– 05, 2001 and 1995 (PDF 125 KB)
• Type of exercise (PDF 90 KB)