Exercise (physical exercise) is any form of physical
activity that is typically planned, structured, and often
repetitive (Caspersen, Powell, & Christenson, 1985). It
is a subset of ‘physical activity,’ the latter including all
physical movement involving skeletal muscles.
Exercise must also involve movement produced by
skeletal muscles resulting in energy expenditure. It is
often highly correlated with physical fitness.
It is suggested that exercise is undertaken with the
intent of maintaining or improving physical fitness.
Tasks where effort is sought to be minimized and
energy conservation is desired, such as household
tasks, would not normally be classified as exercise.
However, some physical activities can be difficult to
classify, such as cycling to work. This would be classified
as exercise if the criteria listed above apply—i.e.,
it is undertaken with the intent to maintain or enhance
fitness rather than just travel to work with no other
transport means possible.
Exercise will often involve more structured leisuretime
physical activities, such as running, swimming,
‘fitness classes,’ and recreational sports. Some might be
supervised and require special facilities or equipment.
