Physical Activity vs. Exercise

​

Physical activity: Movement carried out by the skeletal muscles that require energy

Exercise: Planned, structures, a repetitive movement intended to improve or maintain physical fitness

​

Improves physical fitness:

1. cardiorespiratory

2. muscular strength

3. muscular endurance

4. flexibility

5. body composition

​

Benefits:

• reduce depression and anxiety

• better sleep

• maintain weight

• lose weight

• reduce cardiovascular disease

• control blood sugar

• reduction of cancers 

  • bladder, breast, colon endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lung, stomach​

• strengthen your bones

• increase life span

• reduce falling risks

• healthier mind

​

Importance during a pandemic:

• reduce stress

• prevent weight gain

• boost the immune system

​

During a pandemic, people may consume more calories and are not able to burn the calories because gyms are closed. People may not be getting the proper intake of fruits and vegetables because they do not want to go to the grocery store as often as they usually do or they do not have the funds to buy the proper foods. The pandemic can send people into depression, anxiety, financial hardships, and limited human interaction. But in order to stay healthy, we need to exercise to maintain a healthy weight. "According to the American Heart Association, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, per week" (Hospital, N. 2020)