Physical Activity

Applied Human Nutrition
Student Nutrition Services - Physical Activity

According to Health Canada (2004) regular physical activity has a positive effect in the prevention of coronary heart disease and decreases the risk of mortality from heart attacks and stroke. Exercise has a positive effect on blood pressure in mild hypertensives, decreases the prevalence of obesity, and has been associated with lowering the risk of some cancers. According to the American Dietetic Association (2002) physical activity contributes to weight loss by changing energy balance, improving body composition, decreasing the risk of developing certain diseases, and improving quality of life.

The Handbook for Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living (1998) suggests that people would benefit most from 60 minutes of physical activity every day in order to stay healthy or to improve health. This can be done in increments that add up to 60 minutes at the end of the day.

Click here to view Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living.

The handbook describes three different activity groups

Endurance Activities (4 – 7 days a week)

This type of activity will help your heart, lungs, and circulatory system to stay healthy and provide the body with more energy. Examples of endurance activities include walking, cycling, yard and garden work, golfing, skating, and dancing.

Flexibility Activities (4 – 7 days a week)

This type of activity will help to move easily, and can help you to stay independent longer as you get older. Examples of flexibility include stretching, bending, reaching, dancing, yoga, curling, bowling, golf, T’ai Chi, gardening, and yard work.

Strength Activities (2-4 days a week)

This type of activity will help your bones and muscles to maintain their strength and improve posture. Examples of this type of physical activity include heavy yard work, raking leaves, abdominal curls, push-ups and weight/strength-training routines.

Sources
Cummings, S., Parham, E. S., & Strain, G. W. (2002). Position of the American Dietetic Association: Weight management. Retrieved Oct 20th, 2004, from http://www.eatright.org/Public/Other/index_adar0802.cfm

Research Layer –Key Benefits of Physical Activity. (2004). Retrieved October 19th, 04, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/fitness/work/res_layer3_e.html

Health Canada. (1998). Handbook for Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living. Ontario: Health Canada.
 

Developed by Lindsey Young in partial fulfillment of her administrative dietetic internship placement with Aramark Campus Services – MSVU in Fall 2004 and in collaboration with Student Nutrition Services. Aramark supports the Applied Human Nutrition (Dietetics) Internship Education program at Mount Saint Vincent University.

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