The amount and intensity level of exercise a person should do varies from individual to individual, say Ohio State University experts on the subject.The amount of exercise a person does should be based on their individual capabilities, said Dylan Wessman, program manager with the Exercise Physiology Lab.A sedentary, overweight individual should begin a program of less strenuous activities, he said, with the level of exercise gradually increasing over time.Several health organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association, recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise spread throughout the day.”Vigorous exercise [for individuals in weight management programs] would be counterproductive to maintaining an exercise program for a lifetime,” said Kelly Urse, a trainer at the Center for Wellness and Prevention. “The risk of injury is greater [with] vigorous exercise,” she said. The guidelines listed by the American College of Sports Medicine are the safest for a large population, said Dr. Larry Mengelkoch, an assistant professor in physical therapy. Mengelkoch said the guidelines are based on exercise studies and scientific literature, however they may not represent the most current information available.Four years ago, the American College of Sports Medicine offered different suggestions. At the time, they recommended at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day.There is evidence that vigorous exercise is better for health, said Dr. Tim Kirby, an associate professor in the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services. The evidence suggests that this form of exercise reduces risk factors of heart disease such as hypertension, high blood pressure and overweight problems, he said.However, this does not mean that moderate levels of exercise are not valuable. It just means that vigorous exercise is of greater value, he added.