What does fitness mean?
Is it being pain free and
disease free leading a considerably healthy and active life?
It is all these and more.
Wikipedia says –
Physical fitness is a general state of health and
well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports
or occupations. Physical fitness is generally achieved through correct nutrition,
moderate-vigorous physical activity, exercise
and rest. It is a set of attributes or characteristics seen in
people and which relate to the ability to perform a given set of physical
activities.
I would like to add that it
has to do more about your mental strength and determination, which will reflect
in your physical performance, rather than just your physical capacity to
perform tasks.
Fitness is also about upping
your performance levels and constantly improving yourself.
According to an article by
Medical News Today, physical fitness involves 5 elements –
Cardiorespiratory endurance –
The ability of the
heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissues and
the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement. With
enhanced ability to take in oxygen and deliver it to the working muscles, the
muscles are able to continue activity longer without fatigue.
Muscular Strength –
The amount of force a muscle
can produce with a single maximal effort. Building muscle strength helps with
body alignment, makes everyday performance easier, relieves stress and improves
metabolism.
Muscular Endurance –
The ability to move your body
repeatedly without getting tired. It is determined by how well your slow twitch
muscle fibers are developed.
Body Composition –
The percentage of fat, bone,
water and muscle in a human body. The muscular tissue takes up lesser space
than the fat tissue in our body and so our body composition determines both our
weight and leanness.
Flexibility –
Flexibility is related to the
muscle strength. The range of motion in a joint or group of joints or, the
ability to move the joints effectively is flexibility. This is important in
reducing risk of injury and soreness caused from an activity.
Fitness is important for our
overall health and well-being. It helps in combating health conditions and
diseases and more importantly improves mood and energy.
