Types Of Physical Activity – What Are These?

Here are the different types of physical activity that you probably don’t know yet.

TYPES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – Being physically active is an integral part of a healthy body and here are the various types of this.

Exercise is a form of physical activity but being physically active does not always require exercising. According to the definition from the University of Minnesota, physical activity is “any form of exercise or movement of the body that uses energy”.

It has several types and understanding these may help you in deciding what you should do in terms of achieving your goal.

But first, you have to know the intensity, duration, and benefits they provide for your body. How do we measure intensity? Check out below an intensity level guide!

Here are the different types according to NIH:

• Aerobic
  The activities that move your large muscles like in the arms and legs.

Examples:

1. Walking
2. Dancing
3. Swimming
4. Water aerobics
5. Jogging and running
6. Aerobic exercise classes
7. Bicycle riding (stationary or on a path)
8. Some gardening activities, such as raking and pushing a lawn mower
9. Tennis
10. Golfing (without a cart)

• Muscle-strengthening
  The activities that improve the strength, power, and endurance of your muscles. 

Examples:

1. Heavy gardening (digging, shoveling)
2. Lifting weights
3. Push-ups on the floor or against the wall
4. Sit-ups
5. Working with resistance bands (long, wide rubber strips that stretch)
6. Pilates

• Bone-strengthening
  The activities that support your body’s weight and those that push your muscles against the bones.

Examples:

1. Running
2. Walking
3. Jumping rope
4. Lifting weights

• Balance 
  The activities that require you to resist forces. Apart from improving balance, these activities will also improve back, abdomen, and leg strength.

Examples:

1. Walking Backward
2. Standing on one leg
3. Walking heel-to-toe
4. Practicing standing from a sitting position
5. Using a wobble board 

• Flexibility
  The activities that enable you to move your joints fully.

Examples:

1. Stretching
2. Yoga
3. Tai Chi or Qi Gong
4. Pilates

Surely, everyone can enjoy physical activity of any intensity level, however, some factors must be taken into consideration. If you have medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma, you must first ask your doctor about the type and intensity of activities that will suit you.

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