Physical activity level

Physical activity level is **not** a molecule, receptor, enzyme, transporter, or any other canonical therapeutic target. Instead, it is a **behavioral and physiological parameter** describing the amount of bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. It encompasses all forms of movement—during leisure time, work-related activities, transportation (walking/cycling), household chores—and includes both structured exercise and unstructured daily activities. Higher physical activity levels are associated with reduced risks for noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression and dementia. Measurement can be objective (e.g., accelerometry) or subjective (self-report). While physical inactivity is recognized as an important modifiable risk factor for many diseases and mortality worldwide, "physical activity level" itself does not refer to any specific molecular entity. Because "physical activity level" is not a molecule/receptor/enzyme/transporter/etc., it should **not** be considered an appropriate entry for structured drug target databases. If you are seeking information about molecules involved in the regulation of physical activity or its effects—such as myokines released during exercise—you may wish to specify those targets instead. WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure... Both moderate-and vigorous-intensity physical activity improve health... Physical inactivity increases risk for noncommunicable diseases... PE [Physical Exercise] is often incorrectly used interchangeably with physical activity... PA includes any motor behavior such as daily and leisure activities... The underlying physiological mechanisms explaining why exercise has these positive health benefits are not completely understood. However... many of the benefits may come about because of skeletal muscles' role as endocrine organs...

Other names

Physical activityPAActivity levelExercise level