If we relate only to Physical Fitness, we can then define fitness as an holistic feeling or state of well being, a set of attributes,
primarily respiratory and cardiovascular, relating to ability to perform tasks requiring the expenditure of energy.
If you understand the definition of physical fitness better, will it make you healthier? Will it make your muscles bigger? Not
necessarily. But it may increase your awareness of what physical fitness is all about. Everyone knows that the state of our health
includes physical fitness. It is very important as it has an influence on the whole life of any person.
So what is physical fitness?
There are several types of physical fitness. Each ‘expert’ will give their own definition of physical fitness. But in general there are
five main basic elements of physical fitness that includes the state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, muscle strength,
general endurance, and flexibility.
Physical fitness then consists of several different bodily capabilities. The most important are:
Let's describe these components of the fitness definition so that you can understand fitness and be able assess your own state of
health and physical fitness, and define your aims.
If you wish to improve or maintain your physical fitness you first need to identify and select the component you wish to train to
achieve your particular goal. However, unless training for a sport, it is better to have a harmonious training programme that
incorporates all of the above elements of physical fitness. You need to challenge heart, lungs, muscles, and joints, while not
forgetting body composition i.e. the proportion of muscles, bones, and fat.
In these pages we intend to include articles that will aid you in achieving physical fitness. We hope to find information that
challenges the contemporary ideas regarding training, to bring you cutting edge views. For example scientists have recently
discovered that (for health purposes as opposed to sports fitness) regular short bouts of intense training are as effective as long
duration training a couple of times per week. The author of the research, Prof. Martin Gibala, stated that this result challenges
those people who always say that they do not have any time for improving their physical fitness. It also challenges our previous
ideas about how to maintain our physical fitness.
So, do not be afraid to begin a programme of exercise. Physical Fitness (coupled with appropriate Nutrition and Recovery)
influences both the state of our health and the quality of lives.
primarily respiratory and cardiovascular, relating to ability to perform tasks requiring the expenditure of energy.
If you understand the definition of physical fitness better, will it make you healthier? Will it make your muscles bigger? Not
necessarily. But it may increase your awareness of what physical fitness is all about. Everyone knows that the state of our health
includes physical fitness. It is very important as it has an influence on the whole life of any person.
So what is physical fitness?
There are several types of physical fitness. Each ‘expert’ will give their own definition of physical fitness. But in general there are
five main basic elements of physical fitness that includes the state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, muscle strength,
general endurance, and flexibility.
Physical fitness then consists of several different bodily capabilities. The most important are:
- Aerobic Endurance
- Muscular Strength and Endurance
- Flexibility
- Coordination
Let's describe these components of the fitness definition so that you can understand fitness and be able assess your own state of
health and physical fitness, and define your aims.
- Aerobic endurance. The state and work of cardiovascular and respiratory systems are defined by ‘aerobic endurance’ i.e.
how you endure moderate physical activity over an extended period of time. If you are able to expend energy and
prolong activity for long periods, it probably means that your cardiovascular and respiratory systems (heart and lungs) are
working well i.e. able to continuously supply oxygen to your body during the activity. This attribute is also called ‘aerobic
fitness’.
Muscular endurance is also an important element of the physical fitness definition. It is revealed by the work of your
muscles and their ability to move repeatedly or hold a certain position over a period of time.
Muscular strength is another component of physical fitness definition and differs from the previous one. It is the ability
of the muscles to perform work of maximum intensity just once e.g. to lift/move/displace a heavy weight, etc.
Flexibility is reflected in the ability to move your joints through their full range of motion. Flexibility includes muscle and
connective tissue elasticity.
Coordination is the ability to incorporate all (or some) of the above components in body actions for the purpose of
achieving set objectives e.g. running and jumping over a number of obstacles as in the 400m Hurdles.
If you wish to improve or maintain your physical fitness you first need to identify and select the component you wish to train to
achieve your particular goal. However, unless training for a sport, it is better to have a harmonious training programme that
incorporates all of the above elements of physical fitness. You need to challenge heart, lungs, muscles, and joints, while not
forgetting body composition i.e. the proportion of muscles, bones, and fat.
In these pages we intend to include articles that will aid you in achieving physical fitness. We hope to find information that
challenges the contemporary ideas regarding training, to bring you cutting edge views. For example scientists have recently
discovered that (for health purposes as opposed to sports fitness) regular short bouts of intense training are as effective as long
duration training a couple of times per week. The author of the research, Prof. Martin Gibala, stated that this result challenges
those people who always say that they do not have any time for improving their physical fitness. It also challenges our previous
ideas about how to maintain our physical fitness.
So, do not be afraid to begin a programme of exercise. Physical Fitness (coupled with appropriate Nutrition and Recovery)
influences both the state of our health and the quality of lives.
- As the Nike ads suggest "Just do it!"
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Fitness is a vital components of the Health and Wellness equation...
Fitness...
- ...but, for many, 'fitness' is a nebulous concept.
| So, fit for what? |
Fit for purpose
You can be fit, but fit for life is not the same as fit for sport per se. Being fit to be a bricklayer on a building site is not the same
as being fit to be a cycle courier on the city streets. Being fit for Soccer is not the same as being fit for Basketball...
You can be fit, but fit for life is not the same as fit for sport per se. Being fit to be a bricklayer on a building site is not the same
as being fit to be a cycle courier on the city streets. Being fit for Soccer is not the same as being fit for Basketball...
If you look in any dictionary there will be a number of definitions of “fitness”. A generalised one is:
“…the state or condition of being suitable, having the properties that are right for a specific purpose...”
From this it should be noted that, when applied to the human condition, fitness incorporates both physical and mental health, as
well as emotional satisfaction and self-awareness.
So, for the aims of these pages we need to narrow this down a bit more, hence:
“…the state of (good) health (especially in the phrases `in condition' or `in shape' or `out of condition' or `out of shape')…”
“…the state or condition of being suitable, having the properties that are right for a specific purpose...”
From this it should be noted that, when applied to the human condition, fitness incorporates both physical and mental health, as
well as emotional satisfaction and self-awareness.
So, for the aims of these pages we need to narrow this down a bit more, hence:
- “…being in good health or physical condition, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition…”
“…the state of (good) health (especially in the phrases `in condition' or `in shape' or `out of condition' or `out of shape')…”
Physical Fitness
The Gaia Infostore
| © Copyright 2008 - Active Recovery - All Rights Reserved. The Gaia Centre for Holistic Therapy, 17 Frederick Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3BH email: info@gaiaholistics.co.uk Tel: 01509 551513 |
