Physical Activity v Exercise & Physical Fitness

Physical Activity

• is any movement that uses energy (i.e. burns calories). Can take a variety of forms such as lifestyle/daily physical activity, occupational or work-related or sport and exercise-related.

• (when your muscles contract to move your body)

Exercise

• • is a type of physical activity that is organized and done at a certain intensity, for a certain length of time, with the purpose of increasing one’s fitness for healthy living, improved performance in sports/games/recreational activities of choice and/or improved performance in work related tasks

  • Used to describe physical activity that is done especailly to build fitness

Sports/Games

• • are a type of physical activity undertaken for enjoyment, entertainment and more recently (relatively) as a profession. People train and practice for sports, using exercise and “training”, to get fitter and get better at the skills involved. Often classified as a type of exercise, however, we have less control over the “flow of the game” and therefore less control over the fitness/activity/skill benefits gained. 

Physical Fitness

• Is the ability of one’s body systems to work together effectively to allow one to be healthy, perform activities of daily living and perform well in sports/games/physical activities of choice.

• the ability of the body systems to work together efficiently

• 11 parts to phsyical fitness (5 health related and 6 skill related)

Broken Down into two categories of fitness:

Health Related Fitness

• • Helps one stay in general good condition and suggests the attainment of particular levels of achievement in all five areas.(Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Muscle Strength, Muscle Endurance, Flexibility, Body Composition)

  • Also helps in sports and games etc.,

Skill Related Fitness

• Helps an individual to perform well in specific activities such as sports.(Speed, Power, Balance, Agility, Coordination, Reaction Time)

• Not directly related to health

An individual can be very healthy and maintain a high level of health-related fitness without being competent in many of the skill-related fitness areas