According to government guidelines released this week, adults need somewhere between two and two hours of moderate exercise per week, whereas children and teenagers need approximately one hour per day.

You’re probably asking what moderate exercise means and what its benefits are. To begin with, the category of moderate exercise includes brisk walks, running on a treadmill, bicycling, yard work or even a softball game. People are urged to follow recommendations to reduce weight, avoid chronic diseases and live a prolonged life. The amount of such activities depends on each individual’s age and fitness level.

"Pick an activity that's easy for you to fit into your life," advised U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O. Leavitt. "You just need to get moving."

If a chronic condition impedes people from doing more moderate-intensity physical activity, they shouldn’t exaggerate and be as active as they can.

As far as healthy pregnant women are concerned, they are recommended at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise spread during each week of pregnancy, as well as after giving birth.

With regard to adults with disabilities, if their conditions allow, they should also follow the government new guidelines. If the effort is too big, they are advised to do the type of physical activities that suits to their abilities. It is very important to avoid inactivity.

The recommendation changed previous guidelines for moderate-intensity physical activity that proposed a workout of about 30 minutes a day five days a week, said Rear Adm. Penelope Slade Royall, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.