Chapter 1-3 Key Vocabulary: Fitness, Injury Risk, and Body Temperature

Factors Impacting Fitness and Injury Risk

Fitness levels and injury risks can be influenced by various controllable and uncontrollable factors.
Genetics accounts for 40-66% of factors affecting health and fitness, while 60% is attributed to controllable factors, such as daily habits and behaviors.
This provides hope for individuals seeking to enhance health and well-being.

Genetics: Inherited characteristics influencing health and fitness potential.
Sex: Biological differences can affect physical performance and injury susceptibility.
Age: Aging influences physical capabilities and risks for injury.

Environmental Factors: Influence from surroundings, such as pollution or availability of recreational activities.
Social Circle: The activity levels of friends and family can persuade personal physical activity behaviors.
Stress Levels: High stress can hinder fitness efforts and increase injury risk.
Nutrition: Healthy eating habits contribute to fitness levels and recovery.
Physical Activity: Regular activity improves overall well-being and fitness levels.
Education and Economic Status: Higher education and financial stability often correlate with healthier lifestyle choices.

Sedentary Lifestyle: Characterized by a lack of physical activity, which, along with genetics, has a significant impact on fitness levels.
WHO Recommendations: Emphasize the psychological and physical benefits of activity to improve quality of life.
Independence in Aging: Regular physical activity promotes longer independence in older age.

While exercise is beneficial, novice individuals face increased injury risks:
- Strains: Damage to tendons or muscles.
- Sprains: Tears in ligaments, which are harder to heal due to limited blood supply.

Common Injuries: Tend to occur in lower extremities, especially knees and ankles.
Metabolic and Thermoregulatory Issues: Risks include:
- Hypothermia: Dangerously low body temperature impacting control and leading to frostbite or death.
- Hyperthermia: Dangerously high body temperature leading to heat-related illnesses.
- Hypo/Hyperglycemia: Low/high blood sugar levels, critical for diabetic individuals.
- Hyponatremia: Low sodium due to excessive water intake, often seen in endurance training.
- Rhabdomyolysis: Life-threatening condition associated with intense training, dehydration, and low carbohydrate intake among novices.

Jogging/Running: Increases risk for connective tissue injuries, tendinitis, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis.
Endurance Cycling: Risk for nerve compression, back pain, and Achilles tendinitis due to extended postures.
Swimming: Risks shoulder impingement from repeated overhead strokes.
Aerobic Dance: Potential for lower leg and foot issues similar to running.
Tennis: Risks include elbow tendinitis from high-speed racket swings.

Awareness of these factors and risks is vital for improving fitness and minimizing injury potential in physical activities.