exercise

Introduction
A historical view of exercise
- Prehistoric period
- Agricultural period
- Industrial period
- Technological period
Types of physical fitness
- Health-related physical fitness
- Motor-performance physical fitness
Principles of exercise training
- Specificity
- Overload
- Progression
- Warm-up/cool down
- Frequency, intensity, and duration
- Overall conditioning
- Individual differences
Physiological effects of exercise
- Neuromuscular effects
  - Strength and endurance
  - Flexibility
- Cardiorespiratory effects
  - Cardiac effects
  - Circulatory effects
  - Pulmonary effects
Health effects of exercise
- Improved general fitness
- Decreased risk of coronary heart disease
  - Epidemiological evidence of exercise benefits
  - The effect of exercise on coronary heart disease risk factors
- Other beneficial health impacts
Risks of exercise
- Injuries
- Sudden death
Summary

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

A man in athletic clothing jogs along a paved path beside a black metal fence, with trees and another person in the background.

A group of senior citizens sits in chairs, smiling and holding their hands together in a prayer pose during an exercise class.

How physical activity can slow Alzheimer disease

At a Glance

exercise summary

Quizzes

Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.

American Sports Nicknames

Related Questions

How can a lack of sidewalks and bicycle trails affect physical activity levels?
How can endurance and strength training affect fatigue and pain in older adults and people with disabilities?
How can exercise affect high blood pressure?
How can exercise improve mood and energy levels?
How can suddenly stopping vigorous exercise lead to fainting?
How did leisure-time physical activity affect heart disease death rates among Harvard graduates?
How did physical activity levels affect heart disease deaths among San Francisco longshoremen?
How do genetics and exercise habits influence different types of physical fitness?
How do muscular strength and endurance help with everyday tasks?
How do regular exercise programs affect feelings of general well-being?
How does exercise help control body fat?
How does exercise help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease?
How does exercise training affect red blood cells and blood volume?
How does flexibility affect physical fitness and daily movement?
How does physical activity improve sleep?
How does regular exercise change blood flow to working muscles?
How does regular exercise help manage type 2 diabetes?
How does regular exercise strengthen bones and muscles?
How does running a greater number of miles affect injury risk?
How is physical activity different from structured exercise?
How much weekly aerobic activity is recommended for older adults?
What barriers can prevent people from participating in regular physical activity?
What exercises are included in a complete physical conditioning program?
What role does atherosclerosis play in coronary heart disease?
Which barriers to exercise can affect people with disabilities?
Which tests are used to measure motor-performance physical fitness?
Which types of cancer are linked to lower risk with increased physical activity?
Why are active people often less likely to have excess body weight?
Why can exercise improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes?
Why can limited flexibility in the lower back and thighs be related to back pain?
Why can weak trunk muscles contribute to low back pain?
Why do strengthening exercises and flexibility exercises belong in an overall fitness program?
Why does the same walking pace feel easier for a physically conditioned person?
Why is accessible fitness equipment important for people with disabilities?
Why is proper footwear important for reducing exercise injuries?
Why is regular physical exercise important for overall health?
Why might a person with a previous exercise injury be more likely to have a similar injury again?
Why should an exercise session begin with a warm-up?

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External Websites

MedlinePlus - Benefits of Exercise
Healthline - The Top 10 Benefits of Regular Exercise
Harvard Health Publishing - Exercise and Fitness
Verywell Health - What Happens to Your Body When You Exercise Regularly
Mayo Clinic - Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Health Benefits of Exercise
MSD Manual - Professional Version - Overview of Exercise
NHS - Exercise

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

exercise - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
exercise - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

exercise

physical fitness

Written by

Kenneth H. Cooper

President and Founder, The Cooper Aerobics Center, Dallas, Texas. Author of The Aerobics Program for Total Well-being and others.

Kenneth H. CooperAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 9, 2026 •History

exercise, the training of the body to improve its function and enhance its fitness. The terms exercise and physical activity are often used interchangeably, but this article will distinguish between them. Physical activity is an inclusive term that refers to any expenditure of energy brought about by bodily movement via the skeletal muscles; as such, it includes the complete spectrum of activity from very low resting levels to maximal exertion. Exercise is a component of...

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