OPTIMUM EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

  • Home
  • Services
    • Exercise Physiology >
      • NDIS
      • Home/Aged Care Package
      • Chronic Disease Rehabilitation
      • Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
      • Allied Health Solutions
      • Diabetes >
        • Diabetes Exercise Class
      • Athletic Development
      • DVA
      • Workplace Injury
      • Medicare Referrals
      • Telehealth
      • Personal Training
    • Group Classes >
      • EP Group
      • Diabetes Exercise Class
      • Strength Bones & Balance
      • Timetable
    • Diabetes Education >
      • Optimum Diabetes
    • Conditions We Treat >
      • Diabetes
      • Cardiovascular Disease
      • Exercise & Cancer
      • Osteoporosis & Bone Health
      • Chronic Pain
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Stroke
      • Weight Loss
      • Pre & Post Natal Exercise
      • Neurological Conditions
      • Mental Health
      • Joint & Muscle Pain
      • Pulmonary Conditions
  • Referrals
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Client Resources
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Exercise Physiology
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Work with us!
  • Book Now
  • Home
  • Services
    • Exercise Physiology >
      • NDIS
      • Home/Aged Care Package
      • Chronic Disease Rehabilitation
      • Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
      • Allied Health Solutions
      • Diabetes >
        • Diabetes Exercise Class
      • Athletic Development
      • DVA
      • Workplace Injury
      • Medicare Referrals
      • Telehealth
      • Personal Training
    • Group Classes >
      • EP Group
      • Diabetes Exercise Class
      • Strength Bones & Balance
      • Timetable
    • Diabetes Education >
      • Optimum Diabetes
    • Conditions We Treat >
      • Diabetes
      • Cardiovascular Disease
      • Exercise & Cancer
      • Osteoporosis & Bone Health
      • Chronic Pain
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Stroke
      • Weight Loss
      • Pre & Post Natal Exercise
      • Neurological Conditions
      • Mental Health
      • Joint & Muscle Pain
      • Pulmonary Conditions
  • Referrals
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Client Resources
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Exercise Physiology
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Work with us!
  • Book Now

Blog

Incidental Vs. Structured activity... What’s the difference?

4/1/2022

0 Comments

 
So, you work in a physically demanding job and feel that this gets you enough physical activity throughout your day that you don’t need to do any extra, right?... WRONG. Whilst all this extra incidental activity throughout your day is giving you additional health benefits, it doesn’t give you the same BENEFITS as structured physical activity. 
​

What is the difference between incidental and structured physical activity? 
Incidental activity is defined as NON-PLANNED, UNSTRUCTURED ACTIVITY that accumulates in small portions over the course of a day. It can take many different forms including; 

  • Walking around at work, the shops or at home
  • Playing with your kids
  • Cleaning
  • Gardening
  • Lifting or carrying objects at work or throughout the day.
Picture
Whereas structured physical activity is PLANNED ACTIVITY that is completed in a continuous bout. This includes a planned walk, run or bike ride, gym sessions or classes or any other planned exercise session done individually or with others.

Can I just do incidental activity? 
Whilst incidental activity provides many positive benefits it does not provide the same degree of benefit as structured physical activity. This is due to structured activity being completed in a continuous bout enabling our heart rate to increase, improving our cardiovascular and respiratory health. Completing specific strength training in planned exercise sessions also promotes a further increase in muscular strength and endurance when compared to incidental activity. Research has also shown that when activity is completed at a moderate intensity it assists in the prevention of a number of chronic conditions, including but not limited too; 

  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus 
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • Hypercholesterolemia (High Cholesterol)
  • Obesity​
Picture
What are the benefits of incidental activity? 
By keeping your daily routine as active as possible there are a number of benefits that occur as well, such as; 

  • Prevents muscle or joint stiffness from prolonged periods of sitting
  • Increases energy burnt throughout the day to assist in weight loss or maintenance
  • Improves concentration and motivation after duration's of sedentary activity
  • Prevents the development of chronic health conditions
  • Improve mental health
  • One of the biggest bonuses is that incidental activity can fit into anyone’s day as it’s not something you have to plan or set time as aside for. 

So, what type of activity should I focus on? 
At the end of the day all movement counts and should be encouraged, whether it is a planned workout or sneaking a few extra steps in around the office! If you feel that you have been lacking with your structured physical activity recently, try adding in a few extra steps to your day by parking the car further away, taking the stairs instead of the lift or getting up from your chair once every hour! 
​

If you would like some more guidance about how to fit structured or incidental activity into your day try visiting an Accredited Exercise Physiologist!

By, Aleisha Michael
Accredited Exercise Physiologist. 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    AuthorS

    Lisa Parkinson
    ​Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Diabetes Educator

    Thomas Harrison
    Accredited Exercise Physiologist
    ​
    Rebecca Dostan
    Accredited Exercise Physiologist

    Archives

    April 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    July 2019
    July 2018
    December 2016
    September 2016

    Categories

    All
    Active Ageing
    Asthma
    Back Pain
    Cancer
    Cardiovascular
    Chronic Pain
    COVID-19
    Diabetes
    Disability
    Education
    Ergonomics
    Falls Prevention
    Foam Rolling
    General Health
    Goal Setting
    Heart Health
    High Cholesterol
    Hypertension
    Injury Prevention
    Insulin Resistance
    Liver Disease
    Low Back Pain
    Menopause
    Men's Health
    Mental Health
    Motivation
    Muscle Soreness
    Neurological Conditions
    Obesity
    Osteoarthritis
    Osteoporosis
    Pain
    Parkinson's Disease
    Pilates
    Pregnancy
    Rehabilitation
    Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Running
    Shoulder
    Sleep
    Strength Training
    Stress
    Stretching
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Walking
    Weight Loss

    RSS Feed

Copyright © Optimum Exercise Physiology, 2020. All Rights Reserved.