#Physical activity definition free

More information about 'organised sport' is available in Structure of Australian Sport and Participation in Sport topics. In each case the individuals may perform the same skills, produce the same physical exertion, and may realise the same personal benefits (health, fitness, personal satisfaction, etc.). If the same group of individuals were registered in a football club and trained/played in an organised and structured competition under the supervision of a referee they would be engaged in 'organised sport'. 'Social' because the element of organisational supervision is minimal, but 'sport' because the elements of competition (albeit of a friendly nature) and rules are present. park, sports field, or backyard) and enter into a game of football would be engaged in 'social sport'. These three conditions add a sense of formality or structure to ‘sport’ that may not be present in other forms of ‘similar looking’ activities, such as active recreation or exercise.įor example, a group of people who meet in a common place (e.g. Typically, organisations determine the rules, determine what an outcome means, record and compare results, and oversee the overall organisation and delivery of the activity. A recognised organisational structure oversees the process.how the activity is conducted, time and space limitations, use of equipment, etc.). Performances are achieved under known circumstances rules are used as standards (i.e.Individual or team performance is compared to another individual/team or one’s own performance is compared to a past performance or a recognised standard (i.e.Sport activities are usually structured so that one or more of these conditions are satisfied: The degree of organisational structure that surrounds and influences a physical activity usually helps to distinguish whether an activity is classified as ‘sport’, ‘active recreation’, ‘physical activity’, ‘exercise’, or any number of other terms. Play, recreation, and sport are all freely chosen activities undertaken for pleasure. 'Recreation' is more organised than play, and generally entails physically active leisure activities.

#Physical activity definition free

'Play' (especially for children) is any physical activity that is fun and participatory, often unstructured and free from adult direction. Sport involves rules or customs and sometimes competition.

All forms of physical activity that contribute to physical fitness, mental wellbeing and social interaction (including casual, organised, or competitive sport, and indigenous sports or games).

All forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental wellbeing, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.

The degree of organisational structure that surrounds and influences the sport helps to distinguish whether an activity is classified as ‘organised sport’. Active recreation activities are those engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment with the primary activity requiring physical exertion, and the primary focus on human activity.

A human activity involving physical exertion and skill as the primary focus of the activity, with elements of competition where rules and patterns of behaviour governing the activity exist formally through organisations and is generally recognised as a sport.Source: World Health Organisation Europe (2011). Physical activity includes exercise as well as other activities which involve bodily movement and are done as part of playing, working, active transportation, house chores and recreational activities. Exercise is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful in the sense that the improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness is the objective.The definitions offered may also be accompanied by definitions for one or more similar, closely related, activities that are ‘not sport’. The first English language use of the word ‘sport’ to mean a game involving physical exercise appeared in the mid-1500’s. The oldest definition in the English language dates from around 1300 and means ‘anything humans find amusing or entertaining’.

The etymology of the word ‘sport’ comes from the Old French ‘desport’, meaning leisure.