Health Reference Series
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Fourth Edition
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook ■
Basic Consumer Health Information about the Benefits of Physical Fitness, Including Strength, Endurance, Longevity, Weight Loss, Bone Health, and Stress Management, with Exercise Guidelines for People of All Ages and Tips for Maintaining Motivation, Measuring Exercise Intensity, Preventing Injuries, and Exercising with a Health Condition Along with Information on Different Types of Exercises and Exercise Equipment, a Glossary of Related Terms, and a Directory of Resources for Additional Help and Information
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Edited by
Laura Larsen
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Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook Fourth Edition
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__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Consumer Health Information about the __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ B enefits of Physical Fitness, Including Strength, Endur__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ance, Longevity, Weight Loss, Bone Health, and Stress __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Management, with Exercise Guidelines for People of All __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ages and Tips for Maintaining Motivation, Measuring __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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Health Reference Series Fourth Edition
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook ■
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P.O. Box 31-1640, Detroit, MI 48231
Bibliographic Note Because this page cannot legibly accommodate all the copyright notices, the Bibliographic Note portion of the Preface constitutes an extension of the copyright notice. Edited by Laura Larsen Health Reference Series Karen Bellenir, Managing Editor David A. Cooke, MD, FACP, Medical Consultant Elizabeth Collins, Research and Permissions Coordinator Cherry Edwards, Permissions Assistant EdIndex, Services for Publishers, Indexers *** Omnigraphics, Inc. Matthew P. Barbour, Senior Vice President Kevin M. Hayes, Operations Manager *** Peter E. Ruffner, Publisher Copyright © 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7808-1142-3 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Fitness and exercise sourcebook : basic consumer health information about the benefits of physical fitness, including strength, endurance, longevity, weight loss, bone health, and stress management, with exercise guidelines for people of all ages and tips for maintaining motivation, measuring exercise intensity, preventing injuries, and exercising with a health condition ... / edited by Laura Larsen. -- 4th ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7808-1142-3 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Physical fitness--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Exercise--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Larsen, Laura. GV436.F53 2010 613.7--dc22 2010037345
Electronic or mechanical reproduction, including photography, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system for the purpose of resale is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the publisher. The information in this publication was compiled from the sources cited and from other sources considered reliable. While every possible effort has been made to ensure reliability, the publisher will not assume liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy of the information contained herein. This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the ANSI Z39.48 Standard. The infinity symbol that appears above indicates that the paper in this book meets that standard. Printed in the United States (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents Visit www.healthreferenceseries.com to view A Contents Guide to the Health Reference Series, a listing of more than 15,000 topics and the volumes in which they are covered.
Preface .......................................................................................... xiii
Part I: The Health Benefits of Physical Activity Chapter 1—Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits............ 3 Chapter 2—The Health Burden of Physical Inactivity............... 15 Chapter 3—Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction.................... 19 Chapter 4—Physical Activity and Disease Prevention............... 25 Section 4.1—Physical Fitness and a Healthy Immune System ............ 26 Section 4.2—The Link Between Fitness and Longevity in Older Adults....... 28 Section 4.3—The Link Between Mortality and Physical Inactivity .................. 29 Section 4.4—Physical Activity Promotes Bone Health .................................... 31 Section 4.5—The Effect of Physical Activity on the Risk for Coronary Heart Disease ................................. 33 Section 4.6—Physical Fitness Improves Asthma Management in Children .......................................... 34
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Chapter 5—Physical Activity and Mental Health..................... 37 Section 5.1—Physical Activity Helps Control Stress............................. 38 Section 5.2—Exercise Fights Dementia.......... 40 Section 5.3—Physical Activity, Mood, and Serious Mental Illness ........ 42
Chapter 6—Physical Activity and a Healthy Weight ................ 45 Section 6.1—Physical Activity for Weight Loss ................................ 46 Section 6.2—Exercise Does Not Over-Stimulate Appetite............ 49 Section 6.3—The Effect of Exercise on Metabolism ................................. 51
Chapter 7—Is Physical Inactivity Genetic?............................... 57
Part II: Guidelines for Lifelong Physical Fitness Chapter 8—Prevalence of Self-Reported Physically Active Adults........................................................... 67 Chapter 9—Introduction to Fitness Guidelines ........................ 73 Chapter 10—Physical Fitness and Children ............................... 81 Section 10.1—Statistics on Physical Activity in Children.................... 82 Section 10.2—Physical Activity from Birth to Age Five ........................ 87 Section 10.3—Raising a Fit Preschooler........... 89 Section 10.4—Fitness Guidelines for School-Aged Youth...................... 93 Section 10.5—Physical Fitness Education in Schools .................................... 99
Chapter 11—Physical Fitness and Teenagers........................... 105 Section 11.1—Statistics on Physical Activity in Teenagers ............... 106 Section 11.2—Teenagers and Physical Fitness....................................... 109
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Section 11.3—Teenagers Exercising Far Less than Younger Kids ........................................... 112
Chapter 12—Promoting Physical Activity in Children and Teenagers ....................................................... 115 Section 12.1—Motivating Children and Teenagers to Be Active............. 116 Section 12.2—Fitness for Kids Who Don’t Like Sports...................... 120 Section 12.3—Tips on Promoting Physical Fitness for Girls........................ 124
Chapter 13—Physical Fitness and Adults................................. 131 Section 13.1—Fitness Guidelines for Adults........................................ 132 Section 13.2—Daily Exercise Dramatically Lowers Men’s Death Rates ...... 138 Section 13.3—Women, Physical Fitness, and Heart Health ..................... 141 Section 13.4—Physical Activity for Pregnant and Postpartum Women........... 144 Section 13.5—Research Shows Overweight Women Improve Quality of Life through Exercise............... 146 Section 13.6—Statistics and Research on Women and Physical Activity...................................... 149
Chapter 14—Fitness for Mid-Life and Older Persons............... 159 Section 14.1—Exercise Program for Mid-Life Persons ...................... 160 Section 14.2—Exercise for MenopauseAged Women ............................. 169
Chapter 15—Physical Fitness and the Elderly ......................... 171 Section 15.1—Fitness Guidelines for the Elderly ................................ 172 Section 15.2—Balance Exercises for Older Adults ............................. 179
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Chapter 16—Encouraging Physical Fitness through the Community Environment .............................. 183
Part III: Start Moving Chapter 17—Ways to Add Physical Activity to Your Life............................................................ 193 Section 17.1—Get Active ................................. 194 Section 17.2—Exercise Opportunities in Your Daily Life ..................... 200
Chapter 18—Make a Fitness Plan and Stick with It................ 203 Section 18.1—Making Exercise Fun through a Personal Fitness Plan.............................. 204 Section 18.2—Goal Setting.............................. 212
Chapter 19—Overcoming Barriers to Exercise ......................... 217 Chapter 20—Measuring Physical Activity Intensity and Physical Fitness............................................. 225 Section 20.1—Measuring Physical Activity Intensity.................................... 226 Section 20.2—Resting and Target Heart Rates ......................................... 230 Section 20.3—Calories Burned per Hour.................................... 232 Section 20.4—Physical Activity Chart ............ 239 Section 20.5—Body Mass Index (BMI) ........... 242
Chapter 21—Choosing Physical Fitness Partners .................... 249 Section 21.1—Choosing a Health Club ........... 250 Section 21.2—Choosing a Personal Trainer ... 254 Section 21.3—Exercising with Friends........... 259 Section 21.4—Making Exercise Fun for the Whole Family ..................... 261
Chapter 22—Evaluating Exercise Equipment and Exercise Program Claims .................................................... 265 viii (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Part IV: Exercise Basics Chapter 23—Aerobic Exercise Basics and Equipment ............. 275 Section 23.1—Aerobic Exercise Basics ........... 276 Section 23.2—Elliptical Trainers .................... 278 Section 23.3—Treadmills................................. 283 Section 23.4—Rowing Machines ..................... 287 Section 23.5—Stair Climbers .......................... 290
Chapter 24—Step Aerobics......................................................... 295 Chapter 25—Kickboxing............................................................. 297 Chapter 26—Dancing ................................................................. 301 Chapter 27—Racquet Sports ...................................................... 307 Chapter 28—Aquatic Exercise ................................................... 315 Section 28.1—Water Fitness ........................... 316 Section 28.2—Top 10 Reasons You Should Exercise in Water......... 319
Chapter 29—Walking and Hiking.............................................. 323 Section 29.1—Beginning a Walking Program .................................... 324 Section 29.2—Selecting and Using a Pedometer .............................. 328 Section 29.3—10,000 Steps a Day Walking Program ..................... 332 Section 29.4—Hiking for Health ..................... 337
Chapter 30—Bicycling ................................................................ 341 Section 30.1—Biking and Walking for Transportation and Obesity Prevention................... 342 Section 30.2—Spinning/Indoor Cycling .......... 350
Chapter 31—Running................................................................. 353 Section 31.1—Running for Beginners............. 354 Section 31.2—Training to Run Your First 5K ............................ 358
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Chapter 32—Strength and Resistance Exercise ....................... 361 Section 32.1—Strength/Weight Training Basics ........................................ 362 Section 32.2—Progression and Resistance Training .................................... 365 Section 32.3—Best Ab-Strengthening Exercises ................................... 373 Section 32.4—Using Stability Balls and Resistance Bands .............. 375
Chapter 33—Stretching and Flexibility for Healthy Aging...... 383 Chapter 34—Combined Exercise ............................................... 387 Section 34.1—Cross Training .......................... 388 Section 34.2—Interval Training...................... 390 Section 34.3—Boot Camp Workouts................ 392
Chapter 35—Mind-Body Exercise.............................................. 395 Section 35.1—Introduction to Mind-Body Exercise..................................... 396 Section 35.2—Yoga........................................... 401 Section 35.3—Pilates ....................................... 407 Section 35.4—Tai Chi ...................................... 410
Chapter 36—Power Training and Plyometrics for Athletes ..... 415 Chapter 37—Wii.......................................................................... 421
Part V: Fitness Safety Chapter 38—The Basics of Safe Physical Activity .................... 429 Chapter 39—Workout Safety ..................................................... 437 Section 39.1—Warming Up ............................. 438 Section 39.2—Avoiding Mistakes in the Gym... 440 Section 39.3—Choosing an Athletic Shoe ....... 441 Section 39.4—Helmets..................................... 443
Chapter 40—Nutrition and Exercise ......................................... 447 Section 40.1—Healthy Hydration ................... 448
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Section 40.2—Sports Nutrition ....................... 450 Section 40.3—Top Sports Nutrition Myths..... 453
Chapter 41—Preventing Sports Injuries ................................... 457 Section 41.1—Common Sports Injuries and Their Prevention ............... 458 Section 41.2—Sports-Related Concussions: What You Need to Know to Be Safe ...................................... 466
Chapter 42—Preventing Sports Injuries for Child Athletes .... 471 Chapter 43—Fitness and Your Feet ........................................... 477 Chapter 44—Overtraining and Compulsive Exercise............... 481 Section 44.1—Overtraining in Women and the Risk to Bone Health ....................................... 482 Section 44.2—Compulsive Exercise ................ 486
Chapter 45—Exercising Safely Outdoors .................................. 491 Section 45.1—Outdoor Exercise Safety .......... 492 Section 45.2—Air Pollution and Exercise ....... 495
Part VI: Physical Fitness for People with Health Conditions Chapter 46—Introduction to Exercise with a Health Condition ............................................... 501 Chapter 47—Physical Activity for People with Disabilities.................................................... 505 Section 47.1—Increasing Physical Activity for People with Disabilities...... 506 Section 47.2—Promoting Inclusive Physical Activity Communities for People with Disabilities ........... 509
Chapter 48—Physical Fitness for People Who Are Overweight ............................................ 519 Section 48.1—Physical Fitness at Any Size.... 520
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Section 48.2—Fat Loss and Weight Training Myths......................... 529 Section 48.3—Abdominal Fat and Your Health ....................................... 533
Chapter 49—Physical Fitness for People with Heart Conditions ............................................................. 537 Chapter 50—Physical Fitness for People with Bone Disorders ............................................................... 543 Section 50.1—Arthritis and Fitness................ 544 Section 50.2—Exercising Safely with Osteoporosis.............................. 547
Chapter 51—Physical Fitness for People with Asthma ............ 551 Section 51.1—Exercise for People with Asthma ............................. 552 Section 51.2—Exercise-Induced Asthma ........ 556
Chapter 52—Physical Fitness for People with Diabetes .......... 561 Chapter 53—Physical Fitness and Cancer ................................ 569 Section 53.1—Physical Fitness and Cancer Prevention.................... 570 Section 53.2—Exercise during Cancer Treatment ................................. 577
Part VII—Additional Help and Information Chapter 54—Glossary of Fitness Terms .................................... 583 Chapter 55—Directory of Fitness Resources............................. 591 Index........................................................................................... 601
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Preface
About This Book Regular physical activity provides numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, some cancers, and heart disease, as well as increased mental well-being, longevity, and life satisfaction. Beginning a physical fitness program is important at any age, and it can provide a lifelong love of fitness in children, increased strength and endurance in adults, and improved balance and flexibility in the elderly. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 39% of Americans engage in no leisure-time physical activity. Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition provides updated information about the health benefits of physical activity. It discusses the guidelines for physical activity in people of all ages and diverse fitness levels—including those with disabilities, chronic diseases, or other challenges. It describes ways to make exercise fun and offers suggestions for incorporating fitness into everyday activities. Ways to maintain motivation and set fitness goals are described, and different types of physical activity—including aerobic, strength, balance, and mind-body—are detailed. Information on safety concerns, nutrition and hydration, and equipment needs is included, and an end section offers a glossary of related terms and a directory of organizations that provide information about physical fitness and exercise. xiii (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
How to Use This Book This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part. Part I: The Health Benefits of Physical Activity details the consequences of inactivity and the health and mental benefits of physical activity, including life satisfaction, disease prevention, increased mental health, and a healthy weight. It also explores a possible genetic contribution to physical inactivity. Part II: Guidelines for Lifelong Physical Fitness offers readers specific fitness suggestions, age-appropriate guidelines, and tips for promoting physical activity among children, teenagers, adults, mid-life persons, and the elderly. It concludes with a discussion of ways in which a community’s environment can promote physical fitness. Part III: Start Moving explores practical suggestions for adding activity to everyday life and for beginning an exercise program. It explains how to create a fitness plan, overcome barriers to exercise, find a fitness club or workout partners, and measure and track exercise intensity and calorie expenditure. It also evaluates the reality behind advertising claims exercise equipment manufacturers sometimes make. Part IV: Exercise Basics includes facts about specific forms of exercise, from basics—such as aerobics and strength training—to individual activities—such as walking, biking, running, kickboxing, racquet sports, dancing, aquatic exercise, boot camp, and even the Wii. Mind-body exercises, such as yoga and Pilates, are also discussed, and cross training, interval training, and power training are explained. Part V: Fitness Safety offers suggestions about how to be safe during physical activity through warming up, avoiding common mistakes, choosing safe and comfortable equipment, eating and hydrating properly, and preventing sports injuries. It also discusses the risks of overtraining and compulsive exercise and offers tips for exercising safely out of doors. Part VI: Physical Fitness for People with Health Conditions describes specific steps to physical fitness for people with disabilities, people who are overweight, and people with other health challenges, such as heart disease, bone disorders, breathing difficulties, diabetes, or cancer. Part VII: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of important terms and a directory of organizations able to provide information on physical fitness and exercise topics. xiv (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Bibliographic Note This volume contains documents and excerpts from publications issued by the following U.S. government agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); National Cancer Institute (NCI); National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); National Institute on Aging (NIA); National Institutes of Health (NIH); President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In addition, this volume contains copyrighted documents from the following organizations: Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics; American College of Sports Medicine; American Council on Exercise; American Heart Association; American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; American Podiatric Medical Association; American Psychological Association; Aquatic Exercise Association; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Boys Town Pediatrics; Cleveland Clinic; ExRx.net; Government of Ontario Ministry of the Environment; Harvard Health Publications; Helpguide (Center for Healthy Aging); IDEA Health & Fitness Association; Indiana University Office of University Communications; National Association for Sport and Physical Education; National Strength and Conditioning Association; Nemours Foundation; OrthoIndy; Oxford University Press; Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; United States Professional Tennis Association; University of Michigan Health System; University of Oxford; Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services; Wolters Kluwer Health; Women’s Sports Foundation; and World Health Organization (WHO). Full citation information is provided on the first page of each chapter or section. Every effort has been made to secure all necessary rights to reprint the copyrighted material. If any omissions have been made, please contact Omnigraphics to make corrections for future editions.
Acknowledgements Thanks go to the many organizations, agencies, and individuals who have contributed materials for this Sourcebook and to medical consultant Dr. David Cooke and document engineer Bruce Bellenir. Special thanks go to managing editor Karen Bellenir and research and permissions coordinator Liz Collins for their help and support. xv (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About the Health Reference Series The Health Reference Series is designed to provide basic medical information for patients, families, caregivers, and the general public. Each volume takes a particular topic and provides comprehensive coverage. This is especially important for people who may be dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or a chronic disorder in themselves or in a family member. People looking for preventive guidance, information about disease warning signs, medical statistics, and risk factors for health problems will also find answers to their questions in the Health Reference Series. The Series, however, is not intended to serve as a tool for diagnosing illness, in prescribing treatments, or as a substitute for the physician/patient relationship. All people concerned about medical symptoms or the possibility of disease are encouraged to seek professional care from an appropriate health care provider.
A Note about Spelling and Style Health Reference Series editors use Stedman’s Medical Dictionary as an authority for questions related to the spelling of medical terms and the Chicago Manual of Style for questions related to grammatical structures, punctuation, and other editorial concerns. Consistent adherence is not always possible, however, because the individual volumes within the Series include many documents from a wide variety of different producers and copyright holders, and the editor’s primary goal is to present material from each source as accurately as is possible following the terms specified by each document’s producer. This sometimes means that information in different chapters or sections may follow other guidelines and alternate spelling authorities. For example, occasionally a copyright holder may require that eponymous terms be shown in possessive forms (Crohn’s disease vs. Crohn disease) or that British spelling norms be retained (leukaemia vs. leukemia).
Locating Information within the Health Reference Series The Health Reference Series contains a wealth of information about a wide variety of medical topics. Ensuring easy access to all the fact sheets, research reports, in-depth discussions, and other material contained within the individual books of the Series remains one of our highest priorities. As the Series continues to grow in size and scope, however, locating the precise information needed by a reader may become more challenging. xvi (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
A Contents Guide to the Health Reference Series was developed to direct readers to the specific volumes that address their concerns. It presents an extensive list of diseases, treatments, and other topics of general interest compiled from the Tables of Contents and major index headings. To access A Contents Guide to the Health Reference Series, visit www.healthreferenceseries.com.
Medical Consultant Medical consultation services are provided to the Health Reference Series editors by David A. Cooke, MD, FACP. Dr. Cooke is a graduate of Brandeis University, and he received his M.D. degree from the University of Michigan. He completed residency training at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Cooke currently works as part of the University of Michigan Health System and practices in Ann Arbor, MI. In his free time, he enjoys writing, science fiction, and spending time with his family.
Our Advisory Board We would like to thank the following board members for providing guidance to the development of this Series: • Dr. Lynda Baker, Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI • Nancy Bulgarelli, William Beaumont Hospital Library, Royal Oak, MI • Karen Imarisio, Bloomfield Township Public Library, Bloomfield Township, MI • Karen Morgan, Mardigian Library, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI • Rosemary Orlando, St. Clair Shores Public Library, St. Clair Shores, MI
Health Reference Series Update Policy The inaugural book in the Health Reference Series was the first edition of Cancer Sourcebook published in 1989. Since then, the Series has been enthusiastically received by librarians and in the medical community. In order to maintain the standard of providing high-quality health information for the layperson the editorial staff at Omnigraphics xvii (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
felt it was necessary to implement a policy of updating volumes when warranted. Medical researchers have been making tremendous strides, and it is the purpose of the Health Reference Series to stay current with the most recent advances. Each decision to update a volume is made on an individual basis. Some of the considerations include how much new information is available and the feedback we receive from people who use the books. If there is a topic you would like to see added to the update list, or an area of medical concern you feel has not been adequately addressed, please write to: Editor Health Reference Series Omnigraphics, Inc. P.O. Box 31-1640 Detroit, MI 48231 E-mail:
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Part One The Health Benefits of Physical Activity
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Chapter 1
Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits
All Americans should be regularly physically active to improve overall health and fitness and to prevent many adverse health outcomes. The benefits of physical activity occur in generally healthy people, in people at risk of developing chronic diseases, and in people with current chronic conditions or disabilities. This chapter gives an overview of research findings on physical activity and health. Physical activity affects many health conditions, and the specific amounts and types of activity that benefit each condition vary. In developing public health guidelines, the challenge is to integrate scientific information across all health benefits and identify a critical range of physical activity that appears to have an effect across the health benefits. One consistent finding from research studies is that once the health benefits from physical activity begin to accrue, additional amounts of activity provide additional benefits. Although some health benefits seem to begin with as little as 60 minutes (1 hour) a week, research shows that a total amount of 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, consistently reduces the risk of many chronic diseases and other adverse health outcomes. Excerpted from “Chapter 2. Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits,” Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (www.hhs.gov), October 16, 2008.
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Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition
Examining the Relationship between Physical Activity and Health In many studies covering a wide range of issues, researchers have focused on exercise, as well as on the more broadly defined concept of physical activity. Exercise is a form of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and performed with the goal of improving health or fitness. So, although all exercise is physical activity, not all physical activity is exercise. Studies have examined the role of physical activity in many groups—men and women, children, teens, adults, older adults, people with disabilities, and women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These studies have focused on the role that physical activity plays in many health outcomes, including the following: • Premature (early) death • Diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression • Risk factors for disease, such as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol • Physical fitness, such as aerobic capacity and muscle strength and endurance • Functional capacity (the ability to engage in activities needed for daily living) • Mental health, such as depression and cognitive function • Injuries or sudden heart attacks These studies have also prompted questions as to what type and how much physical activity is needed for various health benefits. To answer this question, investigators have studied three main kinds of physical activity: aerobic, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening. Investigators have also studied balance and flexibility activities.
Aerobic Activity In this kind of physical activity (also called an endurance activity or cardio activity), the body’s large muscles move in a rhythmic manner for a sustained period of time. Brisk walking, running, bicycling, jumping rope, and swimming are all examples. Aerobic activity causes a person’s heart to beat faster than usual. 4 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits Aerobic physical activity has three components: • Intensity, or how hard a person works to do the activity—the intensities most often examined are moderate intensity (equivalent in effort to brisk walking) and vigorous intensity (equivalent in effort to running or jogging) • Frequency, or how often a person does aerobic activity • Duration, or how long a person does an activity in any one session Although these components make up a physical activity profile, research has shown that the total amount of physical activity (minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, for example) is more important for achieving health benefits than is any one component (frequency, intensity, or duration).
Muscle-Strengthening Activity This kind of activity, which includes resistance training and lifting weights, causes the body’s muscles to work or hold against an applied force or weight. These activities often involve relatively heavy objects, such as weights, which are lifted multiple times to train various muscle groups. Muscle-strengthening activity can also be done by using elastic bands or body weight for resistance (climbing a tree or doing push-ups, for example). Muscle-strengthening activity also has three components: • Intensity, or how much weight or force is used relative to how much a person is able to lift • Frequency, or how often a person does muscle-strengthening activity • Repetitions, or how many times a person lifts a weight (analogous to duration for aerobic activity) The effects of muscle-strengthening activity are limited to the muscles doing the work. It’s important to work all the major muscle groups of the body: the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms.
Bone-Strengthening Activity This kind of activity (sometimes called weight-bearing or weightloading activity) produces a force on the bones that promotes bone 5 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition growth and strength. This force is commonly produced by impact with the ground. Examples of bone-strengthening activity include jumping jacks, running, brisk walking, and weight-lifting exercises. As these examples illustrate, bone-strengthening activities can also be aerobic and muscle strengthening.
The Health Benefits of Physical Activity Studies clearly demonstrate that participating in regular physical activity provides many health benefits. These benefits are summarized here. Many conditions affected by physical activity occur with increasing age, such as heart disease and cancer. Reducing the risk of these conditions may require years of participation in regular physical activity. However, other benefits, such as increased cardiorespiratory fitness, increased muscular strength, and decreased depressive symptoms and blood pressure, require only a few weeks or months of participation in physical activity.
Health Benefits Associated with Regular Physical Activity Children and Adolescents There is strong evidence for the following: • Improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness • Improved bone health • Improved cardiovascular and metabolic health biomarkers • Favorable body composition There is moderate evidence for reduced symptoms of depression. Adults and Older Adults There is strong evidence for the following: • Lower risk of early death • Lower risk of coronary heart disease • Lower risk of stroke • Lower risk of high blood pressure • Lower risk of adverse blood lipid profile • Lower risk of type 2 diabetes 6 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits • Lower risk of metabolic syndrome • Lower risk of colon cancer • Lower risk of breast cancer • Prevention of weight gain • Weight loss, particularly when combined with reduced calorie intake • Improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness • Prevention of falls • Reduced depression • Better cognitive function (for older adults) There is moderate to strong evidence for the following: • Better functional health (for older adults) • Reduced abdominal obesity There is moderate evidence for the following: • Lower risk of hip fracture • Lower risk of lung cancer • Lower risk of endometrial cancer • Weight maintenance after weight loss • Increased bone density • Improved sleep quality Note: The Advisory Committee rated the evidence of health benefits of physical activity as strong, moderate, or weak. To do so, the committee considered the type, number, and quality of studies available, as well as consistency of findings across studies that addressed each outcome. The committee also considered evidence for causality and dose response in assigning the strength-of-evidence rating.
The Beneficial Effects of Increasing Physical Activity: It’s About Overload, Progression, and Specificity Overload is the physical stress placed on the body when physical activity is greater in amount or intensity than usual. The body’s structures and functions respond and adapt to these stresses. For 7 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition example, aerobic physical activity places a stress on the cardiorespiratory system and muscles, requiring the lungs to move more air and the heart to pump more blood and deliver it to the working muscles. This increase in demand increases the efficiency and capacity of the lungs, heart, circulatory system, and exercising muscles. In the same way, muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activities overload muscles and bones, making them stronger. Progression is closely tied to overload. Once a person reaches a certain fitness level, he or she progresses to higher levels of physical activity by continued overload and adaptation. Small, progressive changes in overload help the body adapt to the additional stresses while minimizing the risk of injury. Specificity means that the benefits of physical activity are specific to the body systems that are doing the work. For example, aerobic physical activity largely benefits the body’s cardiovascular system. The health benefits of physical activity are seen in children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, older adults, women and men, people of different races and ethnicities, and people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The health benefits of physical activity are generally independent of body weight. Adults of all sizes and shapes gain health and fitness benefits by being habitually physically active. The benefits of physical activity also outweigh the risk of injury and sudden heart attacks, two concerns that prevent many people from becoming physically active. The following sections provide more detail on what is known from research studies about the specific health benefits of physical activity and how much physical activity is needed to get the health benefits.
Premature Death Strong scientific evidence shows that physical activity reduces the risk of premature death (dying earlier than the average age of death for a specific population group) from the leading causes of death, such as heart disease and some cancers, as well as from other causes of death. This effect is remarkable in two ways: • First, only a few lifestyle choices have as large an effect on mortality as physical activity. It has been estimated that people who are physically active for approximately 7 hours a week have a 40% lower risk of dying early than those who are active for less than 30 minutes a week. 8 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits • Second, it is not necessary to do high amounts of activity or vigorous-intensity activity to reduce the risk of premature death. Studies show substantially lower risk when people do 150 minutes of at least moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity a week. Research clearly demonstrates the importance of avoiding inactivity. Even low amounts of physical activity reduce the risk of dying prematurely. The most dramatic difference in risk is seen between those who are inactive (30 minutes a week) and those with low levels of activity (90 minutes or 1 hour and 30 minutes a week). The relative risk of dying prematurely continues to be lower with higher levels of reported moderate- or vigorous-intensity leisure-time physical activity. All adults can gain this health benefit of physical activity. Age, race, and ethnicity do not matter. Men and women younger than 65 years as well as older adults have lower rates of early death when they are physically active than when they are inactive. Physically active people of all body weights (normal weight, overweight, obese) also have lower rates of early death than do inactive people.
Cardiorespiratory Health The benefits of physical activity on cardiorespiratory health are some of the most extensively documented of all the health benefits. Cardiorespiratory health involves the health of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Heart diseases and stroke are two of the leading causes of death in the United States. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases include smoking, high blood pressure (called hypertension), type 2 diabetes, and high levels of certain blood lipids (such as low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol). Low cardiorespiratory fitness also is a risk factor for heart disease. People who do moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity have a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease than do inactive people. Regularly active adults have lower rates of heart disease and stroke and have lower blood pressure, better blood lipid profiles, and greater levels of fitness. Significant reductions in risk of cardiovascular disease occur at activity levels equivalent to 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity. Even greater benefits are seen with 200 minutes (3 hours and 20 minutes) a week. The evidence is strong that greater amounts of physical activity result in even further reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Everyone can gain the cardiovascular health benefits of physical activity. The amount of physical activity that provides favorable 9 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition cardiorespiratory health and fitness outcomes is similar for adults of various ages, including older people, as well as for adults of various races and ethnicities. Aerobic exercise also improves cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with some disabilities, including people who have lost the use of one or both legs and those with multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, and cognitive disabilities. Moderate-intensity physical activity is safe for generally healthy women during pregnancy. It increases cardiorespiratory fitness without increasing the risk of early pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, or low birth weight. Physical activity during the postpartum period also improves cardiorespiratory fitness.
Metabolic Health Regular physical activity strongly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is defined as a condition in which people have some combination of high blood pressure, a large waistline (abdominal obesity), an adverse blood lipid profile (low levels of high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, raised triglycerides), and impaired glucose tolerance. People who regularly engage in at least moderate-intensity aerobic activity have a significantly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than do inactive people. Although some experts debate the usefulness of defining the metabolic syndrome, good evidence exists that physical activity reduces the risk of having this condition, as defined in various ways. Lower rates of these conditions are seen with 120 to 150 minutes (2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of at least moderate-intensity aerobic activity. As with cardiovascular health, additional levels of physical activity seem to lower risk even further. In addition, physical activity helps control blood glucose levels in persons who already have type 2 diabetes. Physical activity also improves metabolic health in youth. Studies find this effect when young people participate in at least three days of vigorous aerobic activity a week. More physical activity is associated with improved metabolic health, but research has yet to determine the exact amount of improvement.
Obesity and Energy Balance Overweight and obesity occur when fewer calories are expended, including calories burned through physical activity, than are taken in through food and beverages. Physical activity and caloric intake both must be considered when trying to control body weight. Because of this role in 10 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits energy balance, physical activity is a critical factor in determining whether a person can maintain a healthy body weight, lose excess body weight, or maintain successful weight loss. People vary a great deal in how much physical activity they need to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Some need more physical activity than others to maintain a healthy body weight, to lose weight, or to keep weight off once it has been lost. Strong scientific evidence shows that physical activity helps people maintain a stable weight over time. However, the optimal amount of physical activity needed to maintain weight is unclear. People vary greatly in how much physical activity results in weight stability. Many people need more than the equivalent of 150 minutes of moderateintensity activity a week to maintain their weight. Over short periods of time, such as a year, research shows that it is possible to achieve weight stability by doing the equivalent of 150 to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity walking at about a four-mile-an-hour pace. Muscle-strengthening activities may help promote weight maintenance, although not to the same degree as aerobic activity. People who want to lose a substantial (more than 5% of body weight) amount of weight and people who are trying to keep a significant amount of weight off once it has been lost need a high amount of physical activity unless they also reduce their caloric intake. Many people need to do more than 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week to meet weight-control goals. Regular physical activity also helps control the percentage of body fat in children and adolescents. Exercise training studies with overweight and obese youth have shown that they can reduce their body fatness by participating in physical activity that is at least moderate intensity on three to five days a week, for 30 to 60 minutes each time.
Musculoskeletal Health Bones, muscles, and joints support the body and help it move. Healthy bones, joints, and muscles are critical to the ability to do daily activities without physical limitations. Preserving bone, joint, and muscle health is essential with increasing age. Studies show that the frequent decline in bone density that happens during aging can be slowed with regular physical activity. These effects are seen in people who participate in aerobic, musclestrengthening, and bone-strengthening physical activity programs of moderate or vigorous intensity. The range of total physical activity for these benefits varies widely. Important changes seem to begin at 90 minutes a week and continue up to 300 minutes a week. 11 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition Hip fracture is a serious health condition that can have life-changing negative effects for many older people. Physically active people, especially women, appear to have a lower risk of hip fracture than do inactive people. Research studies on physical activity to prevent hip fracture show that participating in 120 to 300 minutes a week of physical activity that is of at least moderate intensity is associated with a reduced risk. It is unclear, however, whether activity also lowers risk of fractures of the spine or other important areas of the skeleton. Building strong, healthy bones is also important for children and adolescents. Along with having a healthy diet that includes adequate calcium and vitamin D, physical activity is critical for bone development in children and adolescents. Bone-strengthening physical activity done three or more days a week increases bone-mineral content and bone density in youth. Regular physical activity also helps people with arthritis or other rheumatic conditions affecting the joints. Participation in 130 to 150 minutes (2 hours and 10 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity, low-impact physical activity improves pain management, function, and quality of life. Researchers don’t yet know whether participation in physical activity, particularly at low to moderate intensity, reduces the risk of osteoarthritis. Very high levels of physical activity, however, may have extra risks. People who participate in very high levels of physical activity, such as elite or professional athletes, have a higher risk of hip and knee osteoarthritis, mostly due to the risk of injury involved in competing in some sports. Progressive muscle-strengthening activities increase or preserve muscle mass, strength, and power. Higher amounts (through greater frequency or higher weights) improve muscle function to a greater degree. Improvements occur in younger and older adults. Resistance exercises also improve muscular strength in persons with such conditions as stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and cognitive disability. Though it doesn’t increase muscle mass in the same way that muscle-strengthening activities do, aerobic activity may also help slow the loss of muscle with aging.
Functional Ability and Fall Prevention Functional ability is the capacity of a person to perform tasks or behaviors that enable him or her to carry out everyday activities, such as climbing stairs or walking on a sidewalk. Functional ability is key to a person’s ability to fulfill basic life roles, such as personal care, grocery shopping, or playing with his or her grandchildren. Loss of functional ability is referred to as functional limitation. 12 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits Middle-aged and older adults who are physically active have lower risk of functional limitations than do inactive adults. It appears that greater physical activity levels can further reduce risk of functional limitations. Older adults who already have functional limitations also benefit from regular physical activity. Typically, studies of physical activity in adults with functional limitations tested a combination of aerobic and muscle strengthening activities, making it difficult to assess the relative importance of each type of activity. However, both types of activity appear to provide benefit. In older adults at risk of falls, strong evidence shows that regular physical activity is safe and reduces this risk. Reduction in falls is seen for participants in programs that include balance and moderate-intensity muscle-strengthening activities for 90 minutes a week plus moderateintensity walking for about an hour a week. It’s not known whether different combinations of type, amount, or frequency of activity can reduce falls to a greater degree. Tai chi exercises also may help prevent falls.
Cancer Physically active people have a significantly lower risk of colon cancer than do inactive people, and physically active women have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Research shows that a wide range of moderate-intensity physical activity—between 210 and 420 minutes a week (3 hours and 30 minutes to 7 hours)—is needed to significantly reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer; currently, 150 minutes a week does not appear to provide a major benefit. It also appears that greater amounts of physical activity lower risks of these cancers even further, although exactly how much lower is not clear. Although not definitive, some research suggests that the risk of endometrial cancer in women and lung cancers in men and women also may be lower among those who are regularly active compared to those who are inactive. Finally, cancer survivors have a better quality of life and improved physical fitness if they are physically active, compared to survivors who are inactive.
Mental Health Physically active adults have lower risk of depression and cognitive decline (declines with aging in thinking, learning, and judgment skills). Physical activity also may improve the quality of sleep. Whether physical activity reduces distress or anxiety is currently unclear. 13 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition Mental health benefits have been found in people who do aerobic or a combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities three to five days a week for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Some research has shown that even lower levels of physical activity also may provide some benefits. Regular physical activity appears to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression for children and adolescents. Whether physical activity improves self-esteem is not clear.
Adverse Events Some people hesitate to become active or increase their level of physical activity because they fear getting injured or having a heart attack. Studies of generally healthy people clearly show that moderateintensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, has a low risk of such adverse events. The risk of musculoskeletal injury increases with the total amount of physical activity. For example, a person who regularly runs 40 miles a week has a higher risk of injury than a person who runs 10 miles each week. However, people who are physically active may have fewer injuries from other causes, such as motor vehicle collisions or workrelated injuries. Depending on the type and amount of activity that physically active people do, their overall injury rate may be lower than the overall injury rate for inactive people. Participation in contact or collision sports, such as soccer or football, has a higher risk of injury than participation in noncontact physical activity, such as swimming or walking. However, when performing the same activity, people who are less fit are more likely to be injured than people who are fitter. Cardiac events, such as a heart attack or sudden death during physical activity, are rare. However, the risk of such cardiac events does increase when a person suddenly becomes much more active than usual. The greatest risk occurs when an adult who is usually inactive engages in vigorous-intensity activity (such as shoveling snow). People who are regularly physically active have the lowest risk of cardiac events both while being active and overall. The bottom line is that the health benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks of adverse events for almost everyone.
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Chapter 2
The Health Burden of Physical Inactivity Facts • Appropriate regular physical activity is a major component in preventing the growing global burden of chronic disease. • At least 60% of the global population fails to achieve the minimum recommendation of 30 minutes moderate intensity physical activity daily. • The risk of getting a cardiovascular disease increases by 1.5 times in people who do not follow minimum physical activity recommendations. • Inactivity greatly contributes to medical costs—by an estimated $75 billion in the United States in 2000 alone. • Increasing physical activity is a societal, not just an individual, problem and demands a population-based, multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary, and culturally relevant approach. Appropriate regular daily physical activity is a major component in preventing chronic disease, along with a healthy diet and not smoking. For individuals, it is a powerful means of preventing chronic diseases; for nations, it can provide a cost-effective way of improving public “Physical Activity,” http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/media/en/ gsfs_pa.pdf. © 2003 World Health Organization. Reprinted with permission. Reviewed by David A. Cooke, MD, FACP, March 2010.
15 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition health across the population. Available experience and scientific evidence show that regular physical activity provides people, both male and female, of all ages and conditions—including disabilities—with a wide range of physical, social, and mental health benefits. Physical activity interacts positively with strategies to improve diet, discourage the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, helps reduce violence, enhances functional capacity, and promotes social interaction and integration.
Extent of the Problem Physical inactivity was estimated to cause 1.9 million deaths worldwide annually, according to World Health Report [WHR] 2002. Globally, it is estimated to cause about 10–16% of cases each of breast cancer, colon cancers, and diabetes, and about 22% of ischemic heart disease. Estimated attributable fractions are similar in men and women. Opportunities for people to be physically active exist in the four major domains of their day. These are: • at work (whether or not the work involves manual labor); • for transport (walking or cycling to work, to shop, etc.); • during domestic duties (housework, gathering fuel, etc.); • in leisure time (sports and recreational activities). The global estimate for the prevalence of physical inactivity among adults is 17%. Estimates for prevalence of some, but insufficient, activity (18 years. Data for the 2007 BRFSS survey were collected from 430,912 respondents (median response rate: 50.6%; median cooperation rate: 72.1%*) and reported by the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Response rates were calculated using guidelines from the Council of American Survey and Research Organizations (CASRO). A total of 31,805 respondents with missing physical activity data were excluded, resulting in a final sample of 399,107. Since 2001, in alternate years, BRFSS surveys have included the same questions regarding participation in moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activities. In 2007, to assess participation in moderate activities, respondents were asked, “When you are not working, in a usual week, do you do moderate activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, such as brisk walking, bicycling, vacuuming, gardening, or anything else that causes some increase in breathing or heart rate?” Respondents who answered yes were then asked, “How many days per week do you do these moderate activities for at least 10 minutes at a time?” Finally, they were asked, “On days when you do moderate activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, how much total time per day do you spend doing these activities?” To assess participation in vigorous-intensity activities, respondents were asked, “When you are not working, in a usual week, do you do vigorous activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, such as running, aerobics, heavy yard work, or anything else that causes large increases in breathing or heart rate?” Respondents who answered yes were then asked, “How many days per week do you do these vigorous activities for at least 10 minutes at a time?” Finally, they were asked, “On days when you do vigorous activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, how much total time per day do you spend doing these activities?” Using the 2008 Guidelines, respondents were classified as physically active if they reported at least 150 minutes per week of moderateintensity activity, or at least 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity, or a combination of moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity activity (multiplied by two) totaling at least 150 minutes per week. Using the HP2010 objectives, respondents were classified as physically active if they reported at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, five or more days per week, or at least 20 minutes of vigorous activity, three or more days per week.† Data were analyzed by selected characteristics, 68 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Prevalence of Self-Reported Physically Active Adults age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population, and weighted to provide overall estimates; 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Statistically significant differences in prevalence were determined by t-test (p65 years) to 74.0% (18–24 years). Among racial/ethnic populations, prevalence was lower for non-Hispanic blacks (56.5%) than for non-Hispanic whites (67.5%, p9 mph
531
633
776
Skating, ice, speed, competitive
885
1,056
1,294
Skating, roller
413
493
604
Ski jumping (climb up carrying skis)
413
493
604
Ski machine, general
561
669
819
Skiing, cross-country, >8.0 mph, racing
826
985
1,208
Skiing, cross-country, moderate effort
472
563
690
Skiing, cross-country, slow or light effort
413
493
604
Skiing, cross-country, uphill, maximum effort
974
1,161
1,423
Skiing, cross-country, vigorous effort
531
633
776
Skiing, downhill, light effort
295
352
431
Skiing, downhill, moderate effort
354
422
518
Skiing, downhill, vigorous effort, racing
472
563
690
Skiing, snow, general
413
493
604
Skiing, water
354
422
518
Skimobiling, water
413
493
604
Skin diving, scuba diving, general
413
493
604
Sledding, tobogganing, bobsledding, luge
413
493
604
Snorkeling
295
352
431
Snow shoeing
472
563
690
Snowmobiling
207
246
302
Soccer, casual, general
413
493
604
237 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition Calories burned based on body weight
Activity Soccer, competitive
590
704
863
Softball or baseball, fast or slow pitch
295
352
431
Softball, officiating
354
422
518
Squash
708
844
1,035
Stair-treadmill ergometer, general
354
422
518
Standing—packing/unpacking boxes
207
246
302
Stretching, Hatha yoga
236
281
345
Surfing, body or board
177
211
259
Sweeping garage, sidewalk
236
281
345
Swimming laps, freestyle, fast, vigorous effort
590
704
863
Swimming laps, freestyle, light/moderate effort
472
563
690
Swimming, backstroke, general
472
563
690
Swimming, breaststroke, general
590
704
863
Swimming, butterfly, general
649
774
949
Swimming, leisurely, general
354
422
518
Swimming, sidestroke, general
472
563
690
Swimming, synchronized
472
563
690
Swimming, treading water, fast/vigorous
590
704
863
Swimming, treading water, moderate effort
236
281
345
Table tennis, ping pong
236
281
345
Tai chi
236
281
345
Teaching aerobics class
354
422
518
Tennis, doubles
354
422
518
Tennis, general
413
493
604
Tennis, singles
472
563
690
Unicycling
295
352
431
Volleyball, beach
472
563
690
Volleyball, competitive, in gymnasium
236
281
345
Volleyball, noncompetitive, 6–9 member team
177
211
259
Walk/run—playing with children—moderate
236
281
345
Walk/run—playing with children—vigorous
295
352
431
Walking, 2.0 mph, slow pace
148
176
216
238 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Measuring Physical Activity Intensity and Physical Fitness Calories burned based on body weight
Activity Walking, 3.0 mph, moderate pace, walking dog
207
246
302
Walking, 3.5 mph, uphill
354
422
518
Walking, 4.0 mph, very brisk pace
236
281
345
Walking, carrying infant or 15-lb load
207
246
302
Walking, grass track
295
352
431
Walking, up stairs
472
563
690
Walking, using crutches
236
281
345
Wallyball, general
413
493
604
Water aerobics, water calisthenics
236
281
345
Water polo
590
704
863
Water volleyball
177
211
259
Weight lifting or body building, vigorous effort
354
422
518
Weight lifting, light or moderate effort
177
211
259
Whitewater rafting, kayaking, or canoeing
295
352
431
Section 20.4
Physical Activity Chart “Monthly Physical Activity Sheet,” reprinted with permission from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov), December 2005.
To track your physical activity for a month, copy the chart shown in Figure 20.1 and track the points for activities you participate in during that month. Use the points-to-calories conversion based on your body weight to determine your monthly calorie expenditure related to your physical activities. 239 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Fourth Edition
Figure 20.1. Monthly physical activity sheet.
240 (c) 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Measuring Physical Activity Intensity and Physical Fitness 1 point/4 minutes
1 point/10 minutes
Bicycling >16 mph Handball, Squash, Racquetball Rowing—vigorous Running >7 mph Cross-country skiing—racing
Aerobic—general Backpacking/hiking Bicycling, 10–12 mph Canoeing—moderate Dancing—aerobic, fast Jet-skiing, water Jogging
