When someone says the phrase Physical activity what does it spring in your head? Is it just all within the bubbles of exercise and running? That is a common misconception but one that not everyone really digs deep in to try and understand what it actually is.
- Physical activity
When we term physical activity better known as PA we mean anything that our body does (anything) that will move your skeletal muscles and lead to energy expenditure.
Guidelines for PA: ≥ 150 mins on average per week of moderate activities
≥ 75 mins on average per week of vigorous activities
most of this can be achieved from the daily work we do, commuting by walking instead of driving or catching an uber, going for a walk on breaks than sitting on your phone, even whisking by hand rather than the machine.
2. Um what’s exercise then?
Exercise comes as PA in a rather more constructive way, we define this as a planned, structured and a meaningful form that is carried out often.
3. Then when am I physically inactive?
Physical inactivity simply means not adhering to the guidelines mentioned above, failing to meet these on a regular basis can lead to a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Wait, now what’s sedentary behavior?
In scientific terms,
Sedentary behavior = <1.5 METs
METs (metabolic equivalents) in its simplicity is how much energy you spend when compared against how much rest. Think of it this way, when you spend over what you have in your bank account you’ll eventually go in a negative figure: debt. Similarly, when your METs level is less than 1.5 it means you owe the body some PA, the body is going in a debt of inactivity and rest! You need to do something!!
I hope this piece does come to some use of you, let me know what different topics related to physical activity and fitness you’d like to know about, and I can work on getting it to you!
Guidelines and definitions are adapted from WHO sources.
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