National Project on Physical Activity
Over the years, our definition of physical activity has narrowed to encompass intense activities such as running, aerobics, and weight lifting. However, the term "physical activity" actually includes a broad range of health-enhancing exercises -- yoga, walking, and even dancing. Despite this shift, according to the Healthy People 2010, 40% of the adults in the United States still do not participate in any type of regular physical activity.
A Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health has determined that moderate physical activity can substantially reduce the risk of developing or dying from heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. 1 In addition, physical activity is one of Top Ten leading indicators in Healthy People 2010, further emphasizing the importance of this issue.
AMSA's Community and Public Health Action Committee (CPH) is focusing on physical activity as a preventive health measure by addressing the gaps in many medical school curriculums with our new workshop. CPH is encouraging local chapters to become more involved by holding workshops that educate medical students on how to make physical activity counseling a standard feature of the history and physical exam. In addition, we are also developing activities to encourage medical students to help promote physical activity in local public schools.
The following is the Surgeon General's updated definition of physical activity and physical fitness:
Physical activity: Bodily movement that is produced by the contraction of skeletal muscle and that substantially increases energy expenditure.
Moderate physical activity: Activities that use large muscle groups and are at least equivalent to brisk walking. In addition to walking, activities may include swimming, cycling, dancing, gardening and yardwork, and various domestic and occupational activities.
Vigorous physical activity: Rhythmic, repetitive physical activities that use large muscle groups at 70 percent or more of maximum heart rate for age. An exercise heart rate of 70 percent of maximum heart rate for age is about 60 percent of maximal cardiorespiratory capacity and is sufficient for cardiorespiratory conditioning. Maximum heart rate equals roughly 220 beats per minute minus age. Examples of vigorous physical activities include jogging/running, lap swimming, cycling, aerobic dancing, skating, rowing, jumping rope, cross-country skiing, hiking/backpacking, racquet sports, and competitive group sports (for example, soccer and basketball).
Physical fitness: A set of attributes that persons have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity. Performance-related components of fitness include agility, balance, coordination, power, and speed. Health-related components of physical fitness include body composition, cardiorespiratory function, flexibility, and muscular strength/endurance. 1