Traditional Mediterranean physical activity: integration of active lifestyle behaviors and exercise with social interactions as part of daily life

The Mediterranean lifestyle has attracted significant research attention in recent years. This lifestyle is supported by several key pillars, including dietary habits, social and spiritual engagement, and physical activity. Although much of the research has focused on the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, physical activity has received comparatively less emphasis. Nevertheless, physical activity remains a vital component of the Mediterranean lifestyle, deeply embedded in cultural traditions and daily routines. This paper examines the defining features, movement patterns, and cultural foundations of physical activity within the traditional Mediterranean lifestyle. By drawing on historical sources, anthropological studies, and contemporary research, we characterize Traditional Mediterranean Physical Activity (TMPA) as a set of habitual, non-structured movement patterns integrated into daily life. These activities include farming, fishing, manual labor, dancing, and walking for transportation, all reflecting a functionally active lifestyle shaped by environmental and occupational demands. The study also explores how TMPA has evolved and its potential alignment with modern physical activity paradigms. The key components of TMPA include functional movements, outdoor engagement, and communal participation, reflecting a culturally embedded approach to physical activity in Mediterranean societies. This study provides a foundation for understanding TMPA as a distinct movement model shaped by tradition and sustainability and offers insights into how these activity patterns have persisted or adapted in contemporary settings.