Engaging in physical activity is a crucial component of adopting a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to improving the body’s capabilities, physical activity helps maintain overall health and fitness.
On the other hand, studies indicate that physical inactivity increases the risk of various chronic diseases.
Therefore, if you want to live a healthy life, physical activity is something you should not skip.
For more details, see the following article to understand the definitions, benefits, and types of physical activity.
Definition of Physical Activity
According to the Ministry of Health, physical activity is any movement that involves skeletal muscle activity and increases the body's use of strength and energy.
This energy typically originates from the food we consume, which is then converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the body's cells.
In this context, the activity includes any daily movements you make at home, at school, at work, or while traveling.
Examples of physical activity include walking, cleaning the house, doing laundry, gardening, going up and down stairs, and engaging in sports.
Types of Physical Activity
Physical activity is any activity that has no limitations on place or time.
This is because the driving force behind any physical activity is the energy produced by the body, primarily through metabolic processes.
However, if grouped based on intensity and the amount of calories used, here are examples of moderate, vigorous, and light physical activities:
1. Light Physical Activity
This is a light form of physical activity that requires only a small amount of energy, so it will not leave you out of breath.
In general, the energy used during light physical activity is less than 3.5 kcal per minute.
Light physical activity is also something you do daily. Examples include cooking, playing music, sweeping the floor, ironing, walking in a mall, driving a car, and more.
2. Moderate Physical Activity
Next, there is moderate physical activity, which involves activities that require more energy and sustained muscle movement.
These activities will raise your body temperature and heart rate. Examples include cycling, dancing, yoga, stair climbing, brisk walking, rollerblading, and others.
Typically, the energy used in these activities ranges from 5 to 7 kcal per minute.
3. Vigorous Physical Activity
Meanwhile, vigorous physical activity tends to require considerable energy and burns more calories.
Examples include swimming, badminton, jumping rope, running, aerobic exercise, futsal, and so on. In this case, your body will sweat, and you will be out of breath.
The energy expended during this activity exceeds 7 kcal per minute.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Who would have thought that physical activity plays an important role in achieving a healthy life?
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that physical inactivity is a factor that increases a person's risk of developing various diseases.
Therefore, you are highly encouraged to stay active every day to maintain your health and avoid these risks.
On the other hand, there are also several benefits of physical activity for the body. Here are some of them:
1. Improving Physical Ability
The primary benefit of physical activity is to enhance the body's strength and endurance.
On the other hand, if your body is inactive, you risk losing the ability to perform daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or even running normally.
In addition, physical activities such as sports have multiple uses, ranging from training balance to increasing muscle and bone strength and improving joint and muscle flexibility.
2. Preventing Various Health Risks
Equally important, physical activity helps prevent various health risks.
Moreover, as you age, your immune system weakens, making you more susceptible to illness.
However, by engaging in regular physical activity, your body’s fitness and health will be better maintained over the long term.
3. Maintaining Cognitive Function in the Brain
Another benefit of physical activity is maintaining cognitive function. This includes a person's ability to concentrate, remember, and be meticulous.
Cognitive function usually declines with age and tends to occur more quickly if you lead a sedentary or inactive lifestyle.
However, if you are active and exercise regularly, your cognitive function will be well-maintained.
You can have sharper thinking and concentration than those who do not exercise.
Why can this happen? Well, as long as you move, your brain continues to develop and form new cells and networks.
That way, you can also avoid the risk of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other brain function disorders.
4. Improving Sleep Quality
Physical activity is one way you can try to help improve the quality of your sleep.
Research shows that physical activities can help you fall asleep faster and reduce the likelihood of waking up in the middle of the night.
5. Thinking More Positively
The final benefit of physical activity is that it helps individuals feel more confident and think more positively.
Don't be mistaken, this has been proven true, where the physical activities you engage in can improve your mood and prevent you from stress, anxiety, or even depression.
That concludes the discussion about the definition of physical activity, its types, and its benefits for the body. It can be said that physical activity is the first step if you want to start a healthy lifestyle.
However, make sure to balance it by consuming nutritious foods and drinking enough water. Maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated are key to physical activity, alongside age, to help you move freely.
It is recommended to drink 8 glasses of water, or 2 liters, per day to prevent dehydration, which can lead to various health problems.
Start by choosing high-quality drinking water, such as AQUA, which supports the body's health due to its mineral content.
AQUA is available in various packaging that makes it easy to carry and drink during all kinds of activities.
You can choose from 220ml, 330ml, 600ml, or 1500ml AQUA, based on your needs. For family drinking water at home, you can use a 19-liter gallon.
Let's enjoy the benefits of mineral water by drinking #AQUADULU before getting active!
