Physical Exercise Definition and Comparison

Physical activity and exercise are synonymous terms.

All physical activities involve expending energy measured in kilojoules.

Physical activity positively correlates with physical fitness only at high intensity levels.

Physical activity and exercise both involve any bodily movement produced by smooth muscles.

Sleep is a category of physical activity according to the text.

Virtually all conditioning and many sports activities are performed to reduce physical fitness components.

In physical activities, efficiency is always prioritized over physical fitness.

All physical activities are structured with the goal of conserving energy.

Exercise is always planned, structured, and repetitive.

Sport can be viewed as an organized form of play without any competitive activities involved.

In sport, rules or procedures can be changed during the competition.

Stress, in the context of exercise, is defined as exertion below the normal, everyday functioning.

Physical Exercise and Physical Activity

Physical activity and exercise share common elements: bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles, energy expenditure, and positive correlation with physical fitness.
Exercise is a subcategory of physical activity, characterized by being planned, structured, repetitive, and purposive to improve or maintain physical fitness.

Categories of Physical Activity

Physical activity can be partitioned into mutually exclusive categories, excluding sleep.
Examples of physical activities include occupational, household, and daily tasks, which are often performed with little regard to physical fitness.
Some physical activities, like conditioning and sports, are performed to improve or maintain physical fitness and are considered exercise.

Exercise

Exercise is planned, structured, and repetitive bodily movement done to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness.
Exercise is a subset of physical activity and is usually goal-related and designed to improve physical fitness components like endurance, strength, and flexibility.

Sport

Sport is an organized, competitive form of play, involving refined and formalized activities with rules and procedures.
The competitive aspect is essential to the nature of sport, distinguishing it from play or recreation.

General Principles of Fitness Training

The human body adapts well to stress, defined as an exertion above normal, everyday functioning.
Stress varies for each individual, depending on their level of fitness.
Examples of stress-inducing activities include walking up stairs for a sedentary person and resistance training for an avid runner.

Explore the definitions and comparisons between exercise and physical activity. Learn about the common elements and differences between the two terms.