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Document Type

Article

Keywords

motor activity, public health, musculoskeletal system, behavior, semantics

Publication Date

5-5-2026

Abstract

Physical activity has been defined in numerous ways. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a concept analysis of the existing physical activity definitions in the health sciences literature to evaluate its conceptual precision and assess the need for a revised or novel concept better suited for this domain. The concept analysis was accomplished using tools derived from philosophical semantics. The analysis identified six definitions that explicitly state what physical activity is with sufficient clarity to allow for conceptual examination. The findings indicated that these definitions frequently merge the concept of physical activity with its contextual attributes. To address these semantic limitations, a revised concept of physical activity is proposed. This new concept defines physical activity as any behavior that involves musculoskeletal contraction above the resting contraction level. This definition seeks to provide a more clearly defined and better contextually connected concept of physical activity and to differentiate it from other closely related concepts in health sciences, such as sedentary behavior and muscle tone. This novel definition may also allow the development of broader and more coherent conceptual systems that are expected to contribute to more effective research, practices, and interventions. The scope and limitations of the proposed concept are discussed.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.2.4.boisestate

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