Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Climate conditions and physical activity in the United States
Ray M Merrill1, Eric C Shields, George L White
1Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. Ray_Merrill@byu.edu
Objective:
To identify the influence season and climate have on physical activity among US adults.
Methods:
Seven weather classifications from 255 weather stations were linked with 355 counties covered by the 2003 BRFSS.
Results:
The percentage meeting the recommendations for physical activity ranged from 30.9% in Puerto Rico to 60.9% in Montana and significantly varied across seasons: 44.6% in winter, 46.2% in spring, 48.4% in summer, and 45.8% in fall. Counties in the top 25% meeting the recommendations for physical activity had the highest percentage of days with dry moderate conditions. Counties in the bottom 25% had the highest percentage of days with moist tropical conditions.
Conclusion:
Season and climate significantly influence physical activity in the United States.
Related Concept Videos
What is Climate?
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
Factors may include:
Global Climate Change
Requirements for Human Life
Oxygen
Atmospheric air is only about 20 percent oxygen, but that oxygen is a key component of the chemical reactions that keep the body alive, including the reactions that produce ATP. Brain cells are susceptible to a lack of oxygen because they require a...
What is Weather?
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
