Week 1 AS

History of Exercise Science

• Exercise science emerged from research into the human body's performance limits, influenced by the Harvard Fatigue Laboratory (1927-1947) which focused on physiology and psychology of work.
• The London Transport Workers study (1949-1952) compared heart disease rates in bus drivers and ticket takers, finding drivers had significantly higher rates, highlighting the importance of physical activity.
• The "Fitness Craze" of the 1970s and 1980s gave birth to the field of exercise psychology.

Physical Activity vs. Exercise

• Physical Activity: Any bodily movement that expends energy beyond resting levels (>1.5 METs).
• Exercise: Leisure time physical activity that is planned, structured, and repeated over time.

Measuring Physical Activity

• Subjective measures: Self-report/survey, like questionnaires and logs.
• Objective measures: Tracking devices, fitness apps, direct measurement (e.g., heart rate monitor, pedometer, VO2 measurements, accelerometer).
• Observation: Direct (view a fitness class) and indirect (attendance tracking).

Benefits of Physical Activity

• Physical activity improves health and lowers all-cause mortality.
• Physical activity guidelines: 150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA, minimum 10-minute bouts.

Global Physical (In)Activity Trends

• Globally, 1 in 4 adults don't meet recommended physical activity levels, leading to an increased risk of death.
• Over 80% of adolescents are insufficiently active.
• Inactivity levels are twice as high in high-income countries compared to low-income countries.
• There is a significant difference in inactivity rates between men and women.

Measuring Physical Activity or Exercise

• The three primary approaches to measure Physical Activity/Exercise are subjective measures, objective measures, and observation.
• Accelerometers are considered the gold standard for objective measurement, tracking movement in three dimensions.

History of Exercise Science

• The Harvard Fatigue Laboratory (1927-1947) led to the development of exercise science.
• It focused on the physiology and psychology of work, including the effects of fatigue, lighting, and temperature on worker productivity.
• The London Transport Workers study (1949-1952) compared heart disease rates in bus drivers and ticket takers.
• Bus drivers had higher rates of heart disease due to less physical activity levels.
• The study highlights the importance of physical activity for health.
• The Fitness Craze in the 1970s and 1980s marked the birth of exercise psychology.

Physical Activity vs. Exercise

• Physical Activity is any bodily movement that expends energy beyond resting levels (>1.5 METs)
• Exercise is a type of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repeated over time.
• The movement continuum ranges from sleep to sedentary to vigorous activity.

Health Benefits of Physical Activity

• Physical Activity improves overall health.
• It lowers all-cause mortality.
• Physical Activity guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity.

Global Trends in Physical Inactivity

• One in four adults globally do not meet physical activity recommendations.
• Up to 5 million deaths per year could be averted if the global population was more active.
• Insufficiently active individuals have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to active individuals.
• Over 80% of adolescents globally are insufficiently active.
• Inactivity levels are twice as high in high-income countries compared to low-income countries.

Measuring Physical Activity and Exercise

• Three main approaches:
  • Subjective Measures: Self-report surveys, logs, and questionnaires.
  • Objective Measures: Tracking devices, fitness apps, heart rate monitors, pedometers, and accelerometers.
  • Observation: Direct observation (watching a fitness class or observing children at play) and indirect observation (measuring attendance in exercise programs).

Explore the evolution of exercise science from its roots in the Harvard Fatigue Laboratory to the influence of the London Transport Workers study. This quiz covers the distinction between physical activity and exercise, as well as the methods used to measure physical activity effectively.