The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology on Monday officially announced its new recommendations for the time people should spend being active.

It is suggested that adults do at least 2 1/2 hours a week of moderate-to-vigorous activity. The old guidelines called for a range of 30 to 60 minutes a day.

The new simplified guidelines reflect the most up-to-date research on what's required to have a positive effect on health, the Society for Exercise says. However, it also suggests being active beyond these minimum guidelines because health outcomes improve with greater intensity, variation and duration of exercise.