Back to Fit TipsBack to Home

Fit Tips

KNOWING THE BASICS OF FITNESS

Physical fitness is most easily understood by examining its components, or "parts." There is widespread agreement that these four components are basic:

Cardiorespiratory Endurance
The ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues, and to remove wastes, over sustained periods of time. Long runs and swims are among the methods employed in measuring this component.

Muscular Strength
The ability of a muscle to exert force for a brief period of time. Upper-body strength, for example, can be measured by various weight-lifting exercises.

Muscular Endurance
The ability of a muscle, or a group of muscles, to sustain repeated contractions or to continue applying force against a fixed object. Push ups are often used to test endurance of arm and shoulder muscles.

Flexibility
The ability to move joints and use muscles through their full range of motion. The sit-and-reach test is a good measure of flexibility of the lower back and backs of the upper legs.

Body Composition
Often considered a component of fitness. It refers to the makeup of the body in terms of lean mass (muscle, bone, vital tissue and organs) and fat mass. An optimal ratio of fat to lean mass is an indication of fitness, and the right types of exercises will help you decrease body fat and increase or maintain muscle mass.

Source : The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

The consumer health information on FitSync.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen.