Fidgeting, cleaning, and walking are examples of what type of energy expenditure?

The correct choice highlights that activities such as fidgeting, cleaning, and walking fall under non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). NEAT refers to the calories burned during daily activities that are not categorized as structured exercise. This includes routine movements like cooking, standing, and even small actions like tapping your feet or chewing gum.

NEAT is important because it can significantly contribute to overall energy expenditure throughout the day, impacting weight management and metabolic health. This type of energy expenditure differs from structured exercise or workouts, which are more formalized efforts to increase physical fitness.

While basal metabolic rate refers to the energy expended at rest to maintain essential physiological functions, and physical activity generally refers to more organized and deliberate forms of exercise, NEAT encompasses a broader range of involuntary and voluntary movements that enhance daily caloric burn without the intention of exercise. Cardiac output, on the other hand, refers to the amount of blood the heart pumps in a given time and is not related to energy expenditure directly.