Students who have been neglecting the gym this year might be surprised to hear that the Department of Agriculture and Human and Health Services now advise at least an hour of daily exercise to maintain good health.

The new recommendations detailed in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 report say adults should participate in about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity on most days of the week, as opposed to the previous recommendation of 30 minutes, to maintain a balanced weight.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Human and Health Services (HHS) publish the Dietary Guidelines book every five years.

Penn State kinesiology professor George M. Graham said working in 60 minutes of exercise each day doesn't have to be an unpleasant chore.

"For some people, exercise is a bad word. It can be really fun," Graham said.

Graham said he recommends dance, rock climbing and the popular video game Dance Dance Revolution as enjoyable ways for students to get their daily exercise.

Penn State assistant professor of kinesiology Guy Le Masurier said it is important to create a distinction between moderate physical activity and exercise. Exercise, he said, is more vigorous activity that results in sweat and breathing hard.

"When we talk about physical activity, we're talking about health benefits. Exercise is for fitness," he said. "For those who choose to exercise, they get health and fitness benefits."

Le Masurier added that those who are willing to exercise save time and shape up. "Go hard then go home or go long and slow," he said.

Chris Olson (junior-recreation, park and tourism management) said he works five to six days a week for an hour with free weights and thinks the new recommendations are a good thing.

"I think it's a reasonable amount, but students won't do it," Olson said.

Melissa Thorp (junior-criminal justice) said she works out four days a week for around 45 minutes to an hour.

"[The recommendation] is a little excessive," Thorp said.

Darren Pletcher, a trainer at East Coast Health and Fitness, 250 W. Hamilton Ave., said that with the obesity problem in America, it is essential to follow a healthy diet in addition to staying active.

"If you can exercise for 90 minutes, your intensity level isn't high enough," Pletcher said.

"You can do all the activity in the world. If you don't change your diet it won't do anything," Pletcher added.

The departments' recommendations emphasize that the exercise can be spread over the day not all at once, for example, in several bursts of 15 or 30 minutes at time.

Erin Augustyniak (senior-supply chain and information systems) said many students will reach the new requirement walking around campus.

"I actually think people get 60 to 90 minutes around here going to class," Augustyniak said.

According to the departments, at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day is recommended for chronic disease prevention.

Graham said while it might be hard to meet the new recommendations, physical activity is very important to a healthy lifestyle.

"The bottom line is, what's the alternative?" Graham said.

"When you're lying in a hospital bed with heart disease or diabetes, is it worth it then?"