30 Minutes of Daily Exercise – Is it Enough? 

Most people understand the benefits of exercise. With an array of benefits including improved mental health, weight control, improvements in physical ability and a potential to decrease the risk of contracting some diseases, there are plenty of great reasons to stay active. Most experts advise a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, but is this really enough? In this blog post, Orthosports Physio will be sharing some of the health benefits of exercise and how to get the most out of your daily routines.  

What the Health Statistics Say 

30 minutes of exercise per day is not much to ask, with most people achieving this with their daily walk around the block or during their commute to work. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: 

• 1 in 2 adults failed to meet the physical activity guidelines in 2017-18 
• 2 in 3 (67%) of Australians over 18 were overweight or obese in 2017-18 
• Most (80%) Australian’s over 65 have at least one chronic health condition 

These statistics are quite concerning, particularly when we consider that positive lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy balanced diet and regular physical activity can prevent, delay or assist in the management of chronic diseases.  

Contributing Factors to Poor Health 

There are a range of lifestyle factors which contribute to poor health outcomes, most of which are easily modified. Poor diet, high body mass, tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress and inactivity are amongst the most common. Even despite increasing awareness in these areas and regular promotion of the positive influence of exercise, public health statistics suggest that more needs to be done to improve public health outcomes.  

The Benefits of Exercise 

Regular exercise is known to offer a wide range of benefits, including: 

• Reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and ADHD 
• Relieve stress 
• Manage and potentially reverse type 2 diabetes 
• Improved memory 
• Increased strength and endurance 
• Improve sleep 
• May reduce the need for medication in managing chronic pain 
• Reduced fall risk for the older population 
• Reduced risk of developing some types of cancer 
• Longer life expectancy 

It is important to maintain a healthy exercise routine at every stage of life. The conveniences of modern life mean that many people spend a large amount of their day sitting, whether at work, during their commute or on the couch after a long day. It’s easy to fall into a routine of inactivity, but by setting aside at least 30 minutes for some moderate intensity exercise per day you will soon start to notice the benefits. 

Whilst 30 minutes per day is a great goal to start with, studies suggest that 30 minutes of daily exercise may not be enough to counteract the negative effects of sitting all day. Therefore, it’s a good idea to gradually increase this as your physical abilities improve. This will help to keep you interested and engaged with your fitness goals, making it harder to fall back into a routine of inactivity.  

Experienced an Injury? Start Your Recovery with Orthosports Today 

If you experience pain when exercising, or if you’ve recently suffered a sports injury, please don’t hesitate to book a consultation at Orthosports Physiotherapy. Providing physiotherapy services at Concord since 1989, our dedicated team are here to support your recovery and exercise goals.