![]() ![]() This in turn, may stimulate discussions and critiques of the ways in which people might be compelled to be physical active, potentially at the expense of other liberating, fulfilling ways. ![]() For teachers and students of sport science, health and physical education, an expanded definition will allow for recognition of the multitude of factors that contribute to a person’s, a community’s and a country’s physical activity. ![]() This holistic perspective might allow readers to connect more closely with physical activity as a human behaviour with ingrained and inherent values and meanings connected to it. The particular strength of a broader, more inclusive definition is that it allows for the “specific” and “unique array” of circumstances to be appreciated by users of the definition. Thinking differently about physical activity allows for a new starting point for making policy, as well as teaching and researching. While the intended audience is distinct, the logic of the infographic remains the same, to clearly communicate specific ideas about a topic in a relatable, clear and informative way. While infographics are often designed for “the public”, this infographic is designed for particular stakeholder groups within the physical activity community, including teachers, researchers and policy makers. 1985) and a proposed new, holistic definition (Piggin, 2020). In this sense, here we offer an infographic with a comparison of the predominant, orthodox definition of physical activity (Caspersen et al. Piggin (2020) 4 defines physical activity as “people moving, acting and performing within culturally specific spaces and contexts, and influenced by a unique array of interests, emotions, ideas, instructions and relationships.”Ī new definition might be an important step towards transformation of various aspects of physical activity. Whereas traditionally physical activity has been defined by Caspersen et al (1985) 3 as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure”, there has been a recent alternative articulation. Making the wide range of inherent aspects of activity more prominent in a definition might subsequently liberate researchers, teachers, students and policy makers to explore possibilities for physical activity promotion in more creative ways. Using a broader definition of physical activity which includes and appreciates the multitude of meanings, reasons, motivations, emotions, ideas and relationships that influence physical activity will expand its traditional, conservative framing. ![]() There is an opportunity to reconsider and improve how we think about physical activity, in a way that accounts for the wide array of different contexts that people inhabit, and barriers and challenges that people face. Both the increase in sedentary behavior (characterized by low energy expenditure such as sitting time) and the levels of physical inactivity 1,2 (people not meeting the recommended level of regular physical activity) are notable around the world, as a result of the state-imposed restrictions.Ĭonsidering this scenario, it is timely to reflect on traditional (and possibly limited) ways of doing things in physical activity promotion. Health behaviours have been drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A new holistic and inclusive definition of physical activity might help us think differently ![]()
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