Current status of physical activity in Korea and exercise prescriptions

Background: Physical activity is vital for health promotion and maintenance. The proportion meeting the guidelines for basic physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization is not high. Insufficient physical activity combined with aging can lead to development of various chronic diseases, increasing risks of complications. To prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, and musculoskeletal diseases, and to promote mental health, it is necessary to increase physical activity.Current Concepts: The global insufficient aerobic physical activity rate was 27.5% in 2016. In Korea, the rate of aerobic insufficient physical activity in adults over the age of 19 was 54.4% in 2020 (51.7% for men and 57% for women). The rate in adults aged 19 to 64 was 53.9% (male 51.8% and female 56.1%), can reach 66.8% (male 59.2% and female 73%) in those 65 years and older, and can be as high as 94.1% (male 91.3% and female 97.1%) in adolescents.Discussion and Conclusion: To promote physical activity, national and local governments, civic organizations, public health centers, workplaces, schools, and medical institutions must all work together. Medical personnel are in a good position to encourage physical activity in patients following occurrence of a disease. Physical activity of patients should be constantly encouraged by identifying the levels of physical activity for all patients, encouraging physical activity, providing motivation through information, and re-monitoring the progress of physical activity.