Fitness

Components of Fitness

Fitness is defined as a condition in which an individual has enough energy to avoid fatigue and enjoy life. Analyze your day. Do you have lots of energy, or do you get tired easily?

Physical fitness is divided into four health- and six skill-related components. Skill-related fitness enhances one’s performance in athletic or sports events. Health-related fitness is the ability to become and stay physically healthy.

Health-related components focus on factors that promote optimum health and prevent the onset of disease and problems associated with inactivity.

Four Components of Health-Related Fitness

Cardiovascular fitness is the ability of the heart (cardio) and circulatory system (vascular) to supply oxygen to muscles for an extended period of time. Cardiovascular is also called cardiorespiratory (lungs) fitness. Usually the mile run or some other type of continuous fitness activity (12 minute run, cycling, step-test, etc.) is used to assess cardiovascular fitness.

Muscular endurance refers to the ability of the muscle to work over an extended period of time without fatigue. Performing push- ups and sit-ups or crunches for one minute is commonly used in fitness testing of muscular endurance.

Muscular strength refers to the maximum amount of force a muscle can exert against an opposing force. Fitness testing usually consists of a one-time maximum lift using weights (bench press, leg press, etc.).

Flexibility is the ability to move a body part through a full range of motion at a joint (ROM). The sit-and-reach is commonly used to determine flexibility.

Body composition is the ratio of body fat to lean body mass (including water, bone, muscle, and connective tissue). Having too much fat tissue is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and arthrititis.

Skill Components

Agility

Balance

Power

Speed

Coordination

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