From the Guidelines
You can find a definition of 'physical inactivity' in the World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, which defines it as an insufficient physical activity level to meet present physical activity recommendations 1.
Definition of Physical Inactivity
Physical inactivity is generally defined as failing to meet recommended levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
- The WHO specifically defines physical inactivity as performing less than the recommended amount of physical activity, which can vary depending on age and other factors.
- This definition helps healthcare providers and researchers distinguish between sedentary behavior (sitting or lying down while awake) and true physical inactivity.
Importance of Understanding Physical Inactivity
Understanding this definition is important because physical inactivity is recognized as a leading risk factor for global mortality, contributing to conditions like:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Certain cancers Many national health departments and fitness organizations also provide definitions that may include specific parameters relevant to different age groups or populations.
Sources of Definition
You can find definitions of physical inactivity in several authoritative sources, including:
- The World Health Organization (WHO)
- Medical dictionaries
- Public health resources
- Academic journals focused on exercise science, such as the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1
Recent Guidelines
Recent guidelines, such as the 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, provide updated recommendations for physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life course 1.
Other Relevant Guidelines
Other relevant guidelines, such as the 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, also provide recommendations for physical activity and sedentary behaviour 1.
Cancer Prevention
Physical activity has been shown to play a role in cancer prevention, with the American Cancer Society providing guidelines for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention 1.
Sedentary Behaviour
Sedentary behaviour, which is defined as any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture, is also an important consideration alongside physical inactivity 1.
From the Research
Definition of Physical Inactivity
To find a definition of 'physical inactivity', we can look at various studies that have investigated the concept.
- The study 2 provides a clear definition of physical inactivity and its distinction from sedentary behaviors, which is essential in understanding the implications of physical inactivity on health.
- According to 2, there is a need to provide a clear definition of physical inactivity to distinguish it from sedentary behaviors and physical activity.
- However, none of the provided studies directly define physical inactivity, but they discuss its relationship with sedentary behaviors and health outcomes.
Related Concepts
Related concepts such as sedentary behaviors and physical activity are discussed in the studies.
- The study 2 reviews the most recent and accepted definitions of physical activity, inactivity, and sedentary behaviors, highlighting the importance of clear definitions in occupational health.
- The study 3 discusses the health benefits of physical activity, including the primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases, and reveals that there is a linear relation between physical activity and health status.
Implications of Physical Inactivity
The implications of physical inactivity on health are discussed in several studies.
- The study 4 estimates that physical inactivity causes 6% of the burden of disease from coronary heart disease, 7% of type 2 diabetes, 10% of breast cancer, and 10% of colon cancer worldwide.
- The study 5 investigates the independent and joint effects of daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity on survival among stroke survivors, highlighting the potential benefits of enhancing leisure-time physical activity and reducing sitting time to lower mortality rates.