Information

  • Knowing a person’s level of activity allows the clinician to determine the risk of future health problems and to provide brief intervention early

Health check recommendations

  • All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people > 15 years of age annually
  • All people > 15 years of age opportunistically

1. Procedure

  • Ask the question as per Table 1.
  • Provide brief intervention as required
  • Determine if the person requires a referral and place onto a follow-up and recall register

Table 1. Physical activity questions

Question

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Was the person physically active for 150–300 minutes in the last week?

  • 2.5–5 hours of moderate physical activity per week
  • 1–2.5 hours of vigorous physical activity per week
  • Tally the occasions of exercise
  • See Physical activity and sleep for further details

2. Results

  1. Physical activity 1,2
    • Is any activity that gets people moving, makes them breathe quicker, and heart beat faster
    • Moderate intensity activity requires some effort, but people can still speak while doing it. Examples include:
      • fast walking
      • dancing
      • golf
      • gentle swimming
      • lawn mowing
      • social tennis
    • Vigorous intensity activity requires effort and makes people breathe hard and fast (‘huff and puff’). Examples include:
      • running
      • cycling
      • aerobics
      • organised sports
      • jogging
  2. Sedentary behaviour1,2
    • Sedentary behaviour is characterised as sitting or lying down (except for sleeping)
    • Common contributing factors include office work, driving and leisure time

3. Brief intervention 1,2

  • For adults identified as not undertaking enough daily Physical activity and sleep provide Resource 1.
  • Physical activity:
    • reduces the risk of most chronic conditions including Coronary heart disease, Diabetes, Hypertension, Overweight and obesity (adult) and Dyslipidaemia
    • builds muscle and bone strength, and helps with pain associated with Osteoarthritis and Persistent pain
    • creates opportunities for socialising and helps develop and maintain overall physical and mental wellbeing
  • To achieve above, adults should target:
    • 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity weekly or
    • 75–150 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity weekly
  • Increased benefits are achieved by targeting higher levels of activity
  • Older people should target > 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity daily, to keep their heart, lungs and bones healthy
  • Muscle strengthening activity (e.g. weight resistance, lifting, digging, squats, push-ups) > 2 days/week improves posture, mobility, balance and prevents falls
  • Prolonged time spent sitting inactive should be minimised

4. Referral

  • Refer to local exercise groups or other activities that get people moving
  • Refer those identified as Overweight and obesity (adult) to a dietitian and exercise physiologist

5. Follow-up

  • Place the person on a recall register if required
  • Ensure all referrals are actioned
  • Provide the person with details for the next scheduled follow-up appointment

6. References

7. Resources

  1. Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians

Last updated: September 2024

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