Physical Activity

Physical Activity homepage

Why be active?

How much activity should I do?

Physical activity and nutrition

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Physical Activity

What is physical activity?

Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in an expenditure of energy.

Physical activity is not just exercise and sport. It includes taking the stairs instead of the lift, hanging out the washing, walking to the shops or to work and school, gardening, vacuuming and sweeping, and carrying objects.

Physical activity can be as intensive as you want – making you huff and puff and sweat (vigorous intensity), make you breathe a bit harder than normal (moderate activity) or not require much effort (light activity).

Physical activity in context

Physical activity is one of thirteen health priority areas identified in the New Zealand Health Strategy. This has led to the development of a Physical Activity Toolkit for District Health Boards.

The toolkit provides a lot of information on many aspects of physical activity in New Zealand including the health benefits and how we can encourage more New Zealanders to be active.

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