Introduction to Physical Activity
What is Physical Activity?
Physical activity is a general term used to describe any movement of the body that uses energy. This deliberately broad definition means that virtually all types of activity can be beneficial including: exercise, sport, play, dance and 'active living' such as walking, cycling for transport, housework, gardening and work.
How much you should be doing?
There is UK consensus on the amount and type of physical activity recommended to improve and maintain health.
The recommendations differ across age groups because people have different needs at different life stages. The key age groups are as follows:
- Early years
- Children 5-18
- Adults 19-64
- Adults 65+
There are factsheets and useful documents supporting each of the individual age stage recommendations, as well as Start Active, Stay Active: a report on physical activity from the four home countries'Chief Medical Officers, which is a UK-wide document presenting the guidelines on the volume, duration, frequency and type of physical activity required across the lifecourse to achieve general health benefits.
Why is it important?
Like many other countries, Scotland has high levels of inactivity which has resulted in an increase in preventable chronic illness and an increasingly overweight or obese population.
The goal for good health is to increase the amount of physical activity that we do. In being more active, we will gain a wide range of health benefits. There is good evidence to suggest that regular physical activity can:
- reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
- reduce risk of type II diabetes
- reduce risk of certain types of cancer
- reduce blood pressure
- improve mental health and wellbeing
- contribute to healthy weight maintenance
The greatest benefit can be achieved by increasing the physical activity levels of those who are most inactive. In addition, by doing more than the recommended amounts or activity at greater than moderate intensity, you can also increase cardiovascular fitness (our heart, lungs and circulatory systems), muscle strength and stamina, flexibility and body composition, as well as reduce the risk of depression.
What you can do and where you can do it
Physical Activity covers a wide range of activities from housework and gardening to sports and outdoor pursuits. It can be done as part of your daily routine e.g. walking and cycling to work or school or as an activity in the evenings or weekends with family or friends or on your own.
Active Scotland is a website maintained by NHS Health Scotland which can help you to find places to be active. By putting your postcode or town in the search box, it will find activities close to where you are. You can also choose a category for some new ideas, explore the map and see what's available near you, or find active groups in your area too.