Introduction to Physical Fitness

Physical Activity

Within physical activity, there are five elements of fitness: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. To be physically fit, all five of these components must be considered and practiced. A good physical fitness plan will include all five.

Cardiorespiratory Endurance

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Cardiorespiratory endurance is the ability to sustain prolonged exercise. This requires the heart, blood, and lungs to provide enough oxygen and energy to the working muscles to avoid fatigue. For example, if a person can run one mile at a reasonable pace without getting out of breath, he or she has good cardiorespiratory endurance. On the other hand, if a person has difficulty climbing a flight of stairs, he or she does not have good cardiorespiratory endurance.

Muscular Strength

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Muscular strength is the greatest amount of force exerted by the muscle at one time. Muscular strength is increased through performing resistance training.

Muscular Endurance

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Muscular endurance is the ability of the muscle to produce prolonged effort. Like muscular strength, muscular endurance is increased by performing resistance training.

Flexibility

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Flexibility is the ability to move your joints freely through a full and normal range of motion. When you increase your flexibility, you can improve your athletic performance as well as help prevent injury.

Body Composition

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Body composition is the relative proportion of muscle, fat, water, and other tissues in the body (which make up the total body weight). Body composition can change without total body weight changing because muscle and fat do not weigh the same or have the same mass; one pound of muscle will take up less space than one pound of fat. Because of this, a person can lose inches without losing weight.