13.2 Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sedentary Behaviors Defined

How Physical Activity and Exercise Differ

Though you might see the terms physical activity and exercise used interchangeably, they are actually different. Physical activity is any movement which involves the skeletal muscles and requires energy. Exercise is any type of physical activity, but is planned, structured, or intentional, and intended to improve or maintain physical fitness. Most of our movement each day is considered physical activity. For example, moving from place to place, cleaning, gardening, shopping, and meal preparation are typically not done for the sole intention to improve or maintain physical fitness. In addition to physical activity potentially contributing to increased cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, or muscular endurance, research demonstrates that physical activity, even in small amounts, positively contributes to overall health and wellbeing (Wen et al., 2016). Further, studies have shown that viewing physical activity as exercise can lead to positive impacts on various health indicators, such as blood pressure and body fat. In one study, when hotel room attendants were told that the physical activity of cleaning rooms was a form of exercise, this change in mindset had impacts on health measures after a month (Crum & Langer, 2007).

Sedentary Behaviors Defined

Most researchers use the term inactive to describe those who do not meet the Physical Activity Guidelines recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week. That being said, inactive doesn’t necessarily mean laying in bed all day. One could be considered inactive but may engage in some physical activity; any physical activity is better than no physical activity.

Sedentary behavior can be defined as waking activities that require very low energy expenditure where the typical position is sitting or lying (Pate, O’Neill & Lobelo, 2008).

Sedentary behaviors include, but are not limited to activities like:

• watching TV;
• engaging in other screen use;
• sitting while commuting, at work, in class, or studying; or
• otherwise sitting or lounging while awake.