What are exercise and physical activity?
Physical activity is a term used to describe any activity of movement of the body. These can include:
- Walking, running, biking, jogging, and swimming
- Sports such as football, basketball, baseball, or soccer
- Tasks that keep your body moving and your heart rate up, such as climbing the stairs, carrying groceries, washing the car, and sweeping the floor
Exercise describes activities that improve the following features: muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition
What is the importance of physical activity?
Getting enough physical activity, especially when combined with eating a healthy diet, can help to reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease, certain types of cancers, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Daily physical activity can also help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and helps to reduce obesity, anxiety and depression, and symptoms of arthritis.
- Adults 18 and older need 30 minutes of physical activity five or more days a week.
- Children and teens need 60 minutes of activity a day.
