Meg is moderately active and completes 30 minutes of daily activity above the baseline level. Based on the chart, which activity will not increase Meg’s physical fitness? A. Standing B. Jogging C. Running D. Swimming
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Standing.
Here’s why:
Physical fitness, in the context of improving health and cardiovascular endurance, is influenced by engaging in activities that elevate the heart rate and stimulate physical exertion beyond typical, day-to-day movements (like standing or walking).
Let’s break down the options:
- Standing: Standing is considered a baseline level of activity for most people, meaning it doesn’t significantly raise the heart rate or challenge the body’s physical capacity in a way that leads to fitness improvements. It doesn’t require substantial energy expenditure, so it’s unlikely to improve physical fitness on its own.
- Jogging: Jogging is a moderate-intensity exercise that increases heart rate and engages large muscle groups. It improves cardiovascular health, endurance, and overall fitness by elevating the baseline activity level. A regular jogging routine is excellent for improving physical fitness.
- Running: Like jogging, running is a higher-intensity activity that substantially increases cardiovascular capacity and physical endurance. It requires more energy and engages both aerobic and anaerobic systems, improving fitness through consistent exertion.
- Swimming: Swimming is a full-body workout that engages multiple muscle groups and increases the heart rate significantly. It’s often considered one of the best forms of exercise because it is low-impact but highly effective in improving cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.
Thus, while jogging, running, and swimming are all activities that will increase Meg’s physical fitness by challenging the body beyond its baseline level of activity, standing does not offer enough physical demand to improve fitness levels.
