Physical activity refers to virtually any sustained bodily movement that expends energy. This may include activity undertaken as part of:

· Recreation, exercise or sporting activities

· Work

· Active transport, such as walking or cycling to work

· Household chores, such as washing, vacuuming, lawn mowing, gardening

· Everyday life (incidental) such as walking up stairs rather then using lifts or escalators

It is important that people are active everyday in as many ways as they can.

Moderate-intensity activity is when there is a slight, but noticeable, increase in your breathing and heart rate. A good example of moderate-intensity activity is brisk walking, that is at a pace where you are able to comfortably talk but not sing. Other examples may include mowing the lawn, digging in the garden, or medium-paced swimming or cycling.

Vigorous-intensity activity is activity that makes you ‘huff and puff’, for example where talking in full sentences between breaths is difficult. Vigourous activity can come from sports such as football, squash, netball and basketball and activities such as aerobics, circuit training, speed walking, jogging, fast cycling or brisk rowing.

Click here for a printable PDF version of related physical activity glossary of terms.

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