HRI Members develop new national physical activity guidelines

Friday, 15 March 2024

The HSE and Department of Health launched the new National Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Ireland, bringing Ireland in line with the World Health Organisations (WHO) recommendations on physical activity.

The guidelines show that just two hours and 30 minutes of moderate exercise spread across the week will improve people’s bone and heart health, cognitive function and mental health for adults.

The researchers at UL were commissioned by the HSE Healthy Eating Active Living Programme, on behalf of Department of Health, to update and develop the new guidelines.

The research process was led by Professor Elaine Murtagh, HRI member and researcher with Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences (PESS) at UL and colleagues Dr Sean Healy, Dr Grainne Hayes (HRI) and Professor Catherine Woods (HRI Member and Research Group lead for Physical Activity for Health), all of whom are involved with the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre and PESS.

Professor Murtagh, who was chair of the research working group, said: “The new guidelines for Ireland, bring national recommendations for physical activity in Ireland in line with the best evidence, adapting the WHO guidelines for the Irish context and now include specific guidelines for younger children and on sedentary behaviour.