Physically active or sporty – what’s the difference?
Physical activity includes all movements initiated by the muscles that increase energy expenditure beyond resting levels. This encompasses:
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Everyday movement (e.g. walking, taking the stairs),
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Active transportation (e.g. cycling to work),
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Physical labour,
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Housework and gardening,
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And sport.
Sporting activity is therefore a subcategory of physical activity – done intentionally, usually in one’s free time, with a focus on health, performance or competition.
WHO movement recommendations for adults 📏
The World Health Organization recommends that adults aged 18 and over engage in:
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At least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (e.g. brisk walking, cycling – i.e. aerobic training),
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Or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (e.g. jogging, football),
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Or a combination of both.
In addition:
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Muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days per week (e.g. weight training, bodyweight exercises).
This activity should be done in bouts of at least 10 minutes – so short walks are perfectly valid, but tying your shoelaces doesn’t count towards your health record.
How many people manage this – and how many don’t? 📊
The reality in Germany is somewhat mixed (Source: Robert Koch Institute, GEDA Study 2014/2015):
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23% of adults fully meet the WHO recommendations (endurance and muscle strengthening),
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45% at least meet the recommendation for physical activity,
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29% regularly do muscle-strengthening exercises.
Which means, conversely:
👉 55% of the population don’t even meet the physical activity recommendation.
👉 Over three quarters of the population are not sufficiently active by WHO standards.
The health consequences are well known – increased risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, as well as being overweight and obese. Lack of exercise plays a key role in all of these conditions.
What role does sport play? 🏃♀️
Sport is a key driver for more movement – the data clearly show:
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34% of the population aged 16 and over meet the WHO recommendation for physical activity solely through sport,
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That’s 75% of those who meet the activity recommendations at all.
In other words: without sport, only a fraction of the population would be sufficiently active. Organised and recreational sport therefore plays a crucial role in public health.
Unfortunately, movement isn’t evenly distributed – the impact of social status
But not everyone has the same chances of leading an active life. The figures show just how strongly physical activity – and especially sport – is linked to income, education and age:
Household income:
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With less than €900: only 20% meet the recommendations through sport,
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With more than €4,500: 50% – more than twice as many.
Educational background:
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Individuals with lower secondary school qualifications: only 28% are sufficiently active,
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Those with a higher education entrance qualification: 43% are active.
Age:
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Teenagers (16–19 years): 54% meet the recommendations through sport – likely due to school and club sports.
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Among those aged 30 to 39, the share drops to 26%, before slightly increasing again in middle age (40–59).
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In older age (65+), participation in sport decreases significantly again.
These differences sadly highlight that sport is not a given – it often depends on access, resources, time and environment.
In part two, we’ll take a look at which sports contribute most to physical activity, the economic costs of inactivity and injuries – and why sport is more than just a lifestyle: it’s a societal investment.
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