Physical health and activity refers to the state of bodily well-being and to the regular movement and exercise that help maintain and improve it. Physical activity encompasses any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle that expends energy, ranging from structured exercise and high-intensity training to occupati…
Physical health and activity refers to the state of bodily well-being and to the regular movement and exercise that help maintain and improve it. Physical activity encompasses any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle that expends energy, ranging from structured exercise and high-intensity training to occupational and daily-living activity, while physical health describes the functional condition of the body's systems, including cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, and immune function. Regular activity is consistently linked to better health outcomes, including improved cardiometabolic risk profiles, support for healthy body composition and weight management, enhanced sleep, and reduced stress and burnout, whereas reduced activity, whether from chronic disease, disability, or social isolation, is associated with poorer function and quality of life. The relationship is bidirectional and especially important in aging and chronic conditions, where activity influences frailty, immune resilience, musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, and overall capacity for independent living. Lifestyle and cultural context shape activity patterns, and tailored interventions can effectively modify behavior and reduce risk factors. Assessment may use measured exercise capacity, daily activity monitoring, and self-reported quality-of-life measures, though single measurements do not always predict future change. Promoting physical activity is a cornerstone of preventive health, rehabilitation, and the management of non-communicable disease across the lifespan.
11 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 11 articles above have been cited 74 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Physical Health and Activity, linking to each citing work.