Physical activity is any and all human activity based on body movement and energy expenditure. Common everyday tasks like walking, climbing stairs, cleaning the house, etc. are physical activities.
Physical exercises, on the other hand, are physical activities that have planning, repetition, well-defined rules and, often, a place for their practice.
For example, running to catch the bus is a physical activity, while running on a treadmill is a physical exercise. Carrying grocery bags is physical activity, while lifting weights is exercise.
| Physical activity | Physical exercise | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Any activity that requires continuous movement of the body to be performed. | Regulated physical activity, which makes up training or is part of a sports practice. |
| Examples |
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What is physical activity?
Physical activity is action based on the use of muscles and body movements to perform a task. Common day-to-day tasks such as going up or down stairs, brushing your teeth and sweeping the house can be classified as physical activities.
Physical activities take the body out of its resting state and put it in motion, increasing the need for energy consumption. The energy used by the body is measured in calories. Each activity has a level of intensity and caloric expenditure.
Examples of physical activity
The simplest actions are physical activities. As an example, we can mention the movement we produce while walking or dancing, running, going up and down stairs, among others.
Examples of physical activities and their caloric expenditure (per hour):
- Cooking - 180 calories
- Drive - 160 calories
- Ironing - 160 calories
- Walking the dog - 300 calories
- Sweeping the house - 180 calories
It is important to highlight that one of these activities can already be considered physical exercise if:
- is systematized
- Have a specific goal
- Last a certain amount of time
What is physical exercise?
One physical exercise is all systematized physical activity, with a specific objective, with repetition and with a determined time. Physical exercise provides increased physical and athletic skills.
The main effects of exercises are: gaining muscle mass, increasing the health of the cardiovascular system, stimulating the immune system, which becomes stronger to fight diseases.
In addition, physical exercise helps control cholesterol, reduces the risk of obesity and helps control cholesterol. Physical exercise is also recommended in the treatment of depression. In it, the body releases endorphin, hormone responsible for the feeling of well being.
Examples of physical exercises
It's worth remembering that every exercise is also a physical activity. Thus, what characterizes physical exercise is the intention of moving the body. While in other activities the muscles of the body move to fulfill a task, in exercises, the intention is to perform the exercise itself.
Sports are good examples of physical exercise. Each modality has its own body movements. The upper limbs of a soccer player are required less than those of a basketball, volleyball or shot put player
In a bodybuilding gym, each device has a group of muscles to be developed through the repetition of specific movements.
Physical exercises bring health-related benefits, but they can also provide time for recreation and fun (which are also good for the human body).
Among the types of physical exercises, we can mention four, widespread among physical education professionals: strength, resistance, balance It is flexibility. Within these four categories, there are several sports and exercises.
Among the most common are:
- Bodybuilding;
- Crossfit;
- Fitness;
- Soccer;
- Volleyball;
- Basketball;
- Swimming;
- Water aerobics;
- Martial arts;
- Walk / Run;
- Stretching.
See also the difference between:
- Light and Diet
