Physical activity is defined as?

• A. Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure greater than rest and which is health benefitting
• B. Structured exercise sessions only
• C. Passive activities
• D. Cognitive tasks

Answer: (A)

Physical activity means any movement produced by skeletal muscles that uses more energy than resting and can lead to health benefits. This broad view covers everyday actions like walking, cycling, or doing chores, not just formal workouts. It’s why the statement that captures movement of the body which raises energy expenditure above rest and contributes to health is the best fit. The other ideas are too narrow or mischaracterize what counts as activity: relying only on structured exercise misses the wide range of everyday movements; passive activities involve little or no muscle-driven energy use; and cognitive tasks mainly engage the brain without the muscle movement that drives energy expenditure.