Shepherd Fit reference page
U.S. physical activity statistics
A clear, sourced snapshot of how adults and high school students in the United States are moving, plus the federal activity benchmarks behind the numbers.
Last updated October 21, 2026. Each figure names the year its source collected the data.
At a glance
The figures worth knowing
26.4%
Adults met both guidelines
In 2024, 26.4% of U.S. adults ages 18 and over met both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines during leisure time.
Source: Healthy People 2030, 202429.7%
The national target
Healthy People 2030’s target is for 29.7% of adults to meet both movement benchmarks. The 2024 measure was 3.3 percentage points below that target.
Source: Healthy People 2030, 202425.0%
High school students met the daily aerobic guideline
In 2025, one in four U.S. high school students reported at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day in the previous week.
Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 202516.5%
High school students met both youth guidelines
In 2023, 16.5% reported daily aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercise on at least three days in the previous week.
Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023How the measures work
Federal activity benchmarks
150–300
Minutes for adults
Adults are advised to get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, plus muscle-strengthening activity on two days each week.
Read the adult guideline60
Minutes each day for youth
Youth ages 6 to 17 are advised to get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity every day. The CDC survey uses that same daily threshold.
Read the youth guidelineThese are population measures, not a pass-or-fail test for an individual. The federal guidance also encourages inactive people to start with small amounts of movement and build up over time.
Context
What these statistics do, and do not, say
The adult figure tracks leisure-time aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity together. It does not measure every kind of movement people do at work, at home or while travelling. The high school figures come from student self-reports and use a seven-day recall period.
That distinction matters. A useful starting point is not to chase a number overnight, but to choose a realistic routine and repeat it. Shepherd Fit’s programs are designed around that practical next step: building regular movement, strength and supportive habits over time.
Explore Shepherd Fit programsMethodology and sources
Where these numbers come from
We use named public-health sources and show the data year next to every statistic. This page will be reviewed monthly, or sooner when a source releases material new data. Links open the original source so readers can check the definitions and methods themselves.
- Healthy People 2030, PA-052024 data. U.S. adult progress toward the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guideline.
- CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey2025 data. National estimates of physical activity among U.S. high school students.
- CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey2023 data. National estimates for strength activity and meeting both youth guidelines.
- U.S. Physical Activity GuidelinesCurrent guidance. Federal movement recommendations for adults and youth ages 6 to 17.
Cite this page
Shepherd Fit. “U.S. Physical Activity Statistics.” Updated October 21, 2026. https://shepherdfitlife.com/physical-activity-statistics
For a specific figure, link to its stable section above, such as adult guidelines or daily activity among high school students.