Active or Not, Here It Comes!

What Is Physical Activity?

Moving your body is called physical activity.

Playing sports is physical activity.

But there is more!

Swimming with friends is physical activity too.

Walking your dog is physical activity.

Dancing to a song is physical activity.

Even mowing the lawn is physical activity.

You already do many of these things!

Why Move Your Body?

Moving your body keeps you healthy.

It helps your heart. It helps your lungs.

It helps your muscles and bones grow strong.

It gives you energy.

It can help you feel happy too.

Some Words to Know

Exercise is a plan to move your body. You do it on purpose. You do it again and again. It helps you get fit.

Physical activity is any time your muscles move. It uses up energy.

Physical fitness means your body can do activities well. It has five parts:

• How your body is made up
• How well your heart and lungs work
• How well you can stretch
• How long your muscles can work
• How strong your muscles are

Before You Move

Always warm up first.

A warm-up gets your body ready.

It warms your muscles. It warms your joints.

After you move, cool down.

A cool-down helps your body rest slowly.

It helps you feel less stiff.

Let's Practice!

Think of activities that move your body.

Some activities work your arms.

Some work your legs.

Some work your heart and lungs.

One activity can work many parts at once!

Watch a video of people moving.

Try the moves yourself.

Which body parts do you feel working?

Keep Track of You

Try this: write down your activities every day.

Do this for three days.

Then look at what you wrote.

How much did you move each day?

Kids should move their body for 60 minutes a day.

Try to do this five days a week.

Try many different kinds of activities!

Think About It

• What good things happen when you move your body?
• Which body parts do you want to work more?
• Are you moving enough each day?