PhysicalActivityCategory

PhysicalActivityCategory is a schema.org Enumeration for classifying physical activity by its physiologic type. It is the primary value for PhysicalActivity.category, but the category property also accepts these values on Offer, Service, Product, Guide, Invoice, Recommendation, SpecialAnnouncement, and ActionAccessSpecification.

It has 7 members:

AerobicActivity: cardiovascular activity sustained at moderate intensity (running, cycling, swimming).
AnaerobicActivity: short-duration, high-intensity activity (sprinting, heavy lifting).
Balance: activities challenging balance and proprioception (tai chi, yoga balance poses).
Flexibility: activities improving range of motion (stretching, yoga).
LeisureTimeActivity: recreational activity pursued for enjoyment.
OccupationActivity: physical activity performed as part of work.
StrengthTraining: resistance training to develop muscular strength.

Full example of schema.org/PhysicalActivityCategory json-ld markup

The markup is verified as valid with Rich Results Test from Google.

schema.org/PhysicalActivityCategory

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ExercisePlan",
  "name": "Thunderdome Runners 8-week programme",
  "description": "Eight weeks of guided 5 km training: three aerobic runs per week plus two body-weight strength sessions.",
  "category": [
    "https://schema.org/AerobicActivity",
    "https://schema.org/StrengthTraining"
  ],
  "exerciseType": "Running + body-weight strength"
}
</script>

Using the values

Use the full URL form: "category": "https://schema.org/AerobicActivity". Arrays are common — a circuit-training class is both AerobicActivity and StrengthTraining.

Minimal valid version

The smallest markup that still produces a valid PhysicalActivityCategory entity. Use it as the floor. Reach for the advanced example above when you want search engines and AI agents to understand more about your content.

schema.org/PhysicalActivityCategory (minimal)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ExercisePlan",
  "name": "Thunderdome Runners",
  "category": "https://schema.org/AerobicActivity"
}
</script>

Google rich results this unlocks

PhysicalActivityCategory is a structural type. It does not produce a rich result on its own.

Its value comes from combining it with a primary type whose markup earns a rich result (Article, Product, Event, and so on). PhysicalActivityCategory becomes the trunk that the primary type branches off viamainEntityorbreadcrumb. Include it on every page as the backbone of your markup.

Common PhysicalActivityCategory mistakes

Mistakes that pass validation but silently fail to earn rich results or mislead consumers walking the graph. Avoid these and your markup will be ahead of most sites in the wild.

01
Free-text activity category
Wrong
```
"category": "cardio"
```
Right
```
"category": "https://schema.org/AerobicActivity"
```
Free text is accepted but not filtered by fitness-aware consumers; use the enum URL.
02
Single category for multi-modal activity
Wrong
```
Just AerobicActivity on circuit training that includes strength
```
Right
```
Array combining the relevant categories
```
Circuit training, CrossFit-style workouts, and many dance forms cross categories; arrays reflect that accurately.

Schema properties in this example

PhysicalActivityCategory Enumeration AerobicActivity AnaerobicActivity Balance Flexibility LeisureTimeActivity OccupationActivity StrengthTraining category PhysicalActivity ExercisePlan exerciseType

About the example data

The Xoo Code Thunderdome running club: a mixed aerobic / strength programme.

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