The executive director of the Manitoba Fitness Council is urging more people here in southeastern Manitoba to become more physically active. Stephanie Jeffrey says far too few adults are staying fit as is evidenced by a report released this week by ParticipACTION. She says the report identifies the percentage of people in Canada who are getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week.

"16 per cent of adults ages 18-34 are actually getting 150 minutes per week of bouts of ten minutes or more of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise. In the 35-49 age group, we're looking at 15 per cent and and 50-64 , we're looking at 19 per cent. These numbers are really, really low."

Jeffrey explains what is meant by vigorous activity.

"It is when you are sweating, when you are trying to have a conversation, you have spaces in between your words (where you are catching a breath), so you are pretty much getting yourself out of breath."

She notes there are so many benefits to staying fit that it only makes sense for people to do so. Jeffrey gives some examples.

"Strength decreases by ten per cent after the age of 40, so maintaining strength. Independence, the ability to continue doing the things that you love to do, your sleep is enhanced, your cognitive ability is enhanced or maintained, your bone strength is maintained and even balance is also affected. And, of course, one of the more important ones is heart health. The heart is a muscle and it needs to be exercised. The moderate to vigorous intensity exercise is really what gets in and creates that exercise for the heart in a safe, effective way."

Jeffrey urges people to get a start by doing ten minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercise, such as a brisk walk, and then slowly building up to 150 minutes.