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Facts on physical activity

The concept of physical activity covers all forms of muscular work which boosts energy conversion. Exercise covers both unstructured activity and more conscious, targeted and regular training. Here, the concepts physical activity and exercise are used synonymously. Training is planned, structured physical activity which is performed regularly to maintain and/or improve your physical condition and sense of well-being. In contrast, inactivity describes a life without any movement. Inactive people are not physically active in any way and engage in neither structured nor structured physical activities.

Effect of physical activity
Current research into the effects of physical activity on the body shows that:

  • People who are normally inactive can improve their health and physical well-being by engaging in regular exercise. 
  • People of all ages – children, adults, older people, women and men – all benefit physiologically from physical activity. 
  • Physical activity does not have to be exhausting for it to benefit your health. 
  • Physical activity has many positive effects on the bodily functions. Its effect on the heart, circulation and muscles has been recognised for many years. However, it is also worth noting the positive effect of exercise on your metabolism and on the hormone and immune systems. 
  • Many of the positive effects of physical activity – both from endurance training and from muscle-strengthening exercise – diminish after a few weeks. If you stop being active altogether, the effect disappears completely within 2-8 months. 
  • Physical activity leads to socio-psychological benefits in the form of feeling happy about life, higher energy levels, social well-being, self-confidence and decisiveness. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that there is a positive connection between physical activity and cognitive processes which are necessary for children's learning. 

 

What is the diffence between moderate-intensity and high-intensity?
It is often hard to distinguish between moderate-intensity and high-intensity physical exercise. If you engage in muscle-training exercise once a week and water gymnastics once a week, are you complying with the Danish National Board of Health's recommendation of two sessions of high-intensity exercise a week? Does bowling count as moderate-intensity physical exercise etc.?

Read more about moderate-intensity and high-intensity physical activity in the right column of this page named related links.