Physical Activity Versus Exercise
Exercise is a type of physical activity that some people enjoy. Other people dislike even the word “exercise” because it brings back bad memories for them.
Both physical activity and exercise, combined with healthy eating, can help prevent weight gain and certain chronic diseases.
If you’re not sure of the difference between physical activity and exercise, this article is for you! You’ll also find out whether physical activity or exercise is best for you and about ways to overcome barriers to becoming more active.
What’s the Difference Between Physical Activity and Exercise?
Exercise
Exercise is a form of physical activity that is planned, structured and done to improve at least one aspect of physical fitness. that is, strength, flexibility or endurance.
Examples of common exercise directions include the following:
* Do whole body resistance training three days per week (two sets of eight to 12 repetitions).
* Do whole body stretching exercises daily.
* Do 30 minutes on a treadmill at 65 per cent of your maximum heart rate.
Exercise is effective in improving people’s health, well-being and overall quality of life.
Physical Activity
Physical activity includes activity that is part of your daily life. Household, workplace and lifestyle physical activity are three of the most common types of physical activity:
* Household physical activity, such as sweeping and cleaning.
* Workplace physical activity, including lifting boxes or walking for longer than 10 minutes.
* Lifestyle physical activity, such as carrying a basket at the grocery store rather than wheeling a cart.
A complete physical activity program should still include strength, endurance and flexibility. For example, physical activity you could do during your day could include:
* Walking to the grocery store.
* Carrying the groceries home in a backpack, carrying a couple of bags in your arms.
* Putting away the food cans in the very back of the cupboard, alternating using your left and right hands.
This combination of activities makes endurance, strength and flexibility training part of your daily living.
What’s Best for You? Physical Activity or Exercise?
Many people find it a challenge to get enough physical activity and exercise. For example, 48 per cent of Albertans and 51 per cent of Canadians are inactive.
Physical activity can improve or maintain the mental and physical health of sedentary people. However, physical activity may not provide additional health benefits to people who are already highly active in sports and who exercise daily.
Basically, be active in whichever form of activity you prefer and can fit into your life regularly (exercise or physical activity).
You may find a combination of exercise and physical activity the easiest to maintain over the long run. The key is to find activities you enjoy and then to do them regularly.
Overcoming Barriers to Participating in Physical Activity or Exercise
There can always be barriers to being active. Common barriers include:
* Lack of time.
* Inconvenience.
* Dislike of activity.
* Lack of confidence in being able to be active safely and correctly.
* Accessibility issues.
* Lack of motivation.
Some strategies to overcome these barriers include:
* Being active in smaller “chunks” through the day, such as walking 10 to 15 minutes three or four times a day or always carrying bags or groceries instead of using a cart.
* Starting a walking group at work during lunch hour or at home with your neighbours to create a fun group that makes being active more interesting.
* Doing activities like bowling or swimming instead of going out for dinner with your family.
Some activity is better than none, and more is better than some. Finding enjoyable and practical activities is an important first step in becoming active.
Physical activity and exercise will both give you health benefits if you do them regularly over one to two years.
Source: HealthyAlberta.com
Tags: becoming active, Exercise, health benefits, Physical Activity