Physical activity

Physical activity is defined as any voluntary bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.

[5][6] Physical activity increases energy expenditure and is a key regulator in controlling body weight (see Summermatter cycle for more).

[1] Conversely, physical activity includes exercise but may also be unplanned, unstructured, random and non-purposeful carried out for a multitude of reasons.

Physical activity can be thought of as a continuum in practice, ranging from inactive lifestyles to high-intensity exercises.

[medical citation needed] Reducing workplace-base sitting has been shown to address sedentary behaviour in workplace.

[17] A study estimated the annual value of nature-based PA conducted in England in 2019 in terms of avoided healthcare and societal costs of six non-communicable diseases (ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and major depressive disorder) at £108.7million.

[19] These separate forms of meaningfulness consist of (i) competition and championship, (ii) nature encounters, (iii) aesthetic-expressive, (iv) fitness gymnastics and play, (v) everyday exercise and (vi) five different basic forms of physical training (aerobic, anaerobic, strength, flexibility and coordination training).

Adults of this age group, with poor mobility, should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls on 3 or more days per week.

The amount of physical activity conducted by a population—and by extension the proportion of that population reaching guidelines or other specified thresholds—is dictated by several factors including demographics (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity), population health status, cultural aspects, and the state of the environment itself (e.g. infrastructure that affords physical activity).

[26] Studies have shown that as the availability of natural environments (e.g., parks, woodlands, inland waters, coasts) increases, more leisure-time physical activity such as walking and cycling are reported.

For example, in a large population-based study in England, higher air temperatures and lower wind speeds were associated with increased physical activity.

[30] It has been suggested to correspond with BMI[31] and chronic disease, when coupled with demographic information[30] as well as a tool for identifying patients who do not meet certain physical activity guidelines.

[32] Generally, this metric is evaluated by a self-reported medical questionnaire, which can significantly affect the validity and applicability of a PAVS in clinical treatment determination.