Importance of Health and Fitness

Basic Components of Fitness

The four primary components (also known as the components of health related fitness) that are important to improved physical health are as follows:

1: Cardio-respiratory capacity is the ability of the body to take in oxygen (respiration), deliver it to the cells (circulation), and use it at the cellular level to create energy (bioenergetics) for physical work (activity). In fitness, we also refer to cardio-respiratory capacity as aerobic capacity. This capacity includes aerobic endurance (how long), aerobic strength (how hard), and aerobic power (how fast). Some of the long-term adaptations of cardio-respiratory training are: decreased resting heart rate, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, improved endurance, increased stroke volume and cardiac output.

2: Muscular capacity refers to the spectrum of muscular capability. This includes muscular endurance (i.e., the ability to apply force over a long period of time or to complete repeated muscle contractions); muscular strength (i.e., the ability to generate force, or the maximum amount of force that a muscle can exert in a single contraction); and muscular power (i.e., the ability to generate strength in an explosive way). Some of the long-term adaptations of improving muscular capacity are increased strength, improved muscular endurance, increased basal metabolic rate, improved joint strength, and overall posture.

3: Flexibility is the range of movement or amount of motion that a joint is capable of performing. Each joint has a different amount of flexibility. Improved range of motion, improved movements, and improved posture.

4: Body composition is the proportion of fat-free mass (muscle, bone, blood, organs, and fluids) to fat mass (adipose tissue deposited under the skin and around organs). Some of the long-term adaptations of improving body composition are decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, improved basal metabolic rate, improved bodily function, and improved BMI

2nd Important components of Health

The secondary components of fitness (also known as the components of performance based fitness) are involved in all physical activity and are necessary for daily functioning. Athletes experience different levels of success depending on how well these secondary fitness components are developed. Although the primary components of fitness are thought to be the most important, we should not ignore the secondary components because of their importance in the completion of daily tasks. The secondary components include the following.

 Balance is the ability to maintain a specific body position in either a stationary or dynamic (moving) situation.

1: Coordination is the ability to use all body parts together to produce smooth and fluid motion.

2: Agility is the ability to change direction quickly.

3: Reaction time is the time required to respond to a specific stimulus.

4: Speed is the ability to move rapidly. Speed is also known as velocity (rate of motion).

5: Power is combination of strength and speed..

6: Mental capability is the ability to concentrate on exercise to improve training effects and ability to relax and enjoy the psychological benefits of activity.

Health and Wellness

Health is a dynamic process because it is always changing. We all have times of good health, times of sickness, and maybe even times of serious illness. As our lifestyles change, so does our level of health.

Those of us who participate in regular physical activity do so partly to improve the current and future level of our health. We strive toward an optimal state of well-being. As our lifestyle improves, our health also improves and we experience less disease and sickness. When most people are asked what it means to be healthy, they normally respond with the four components of fitness mentioned earlier.

The other components of health (Greenberg, 2004, p. 7) that are just as important as physical health include the following:

1 Social health-The ability to interact well with people and the environment and to have satisfying personal relationships.

2: Mental health-The ability to learn and grow intellectually. Life experiences as well as more formal structures (e.g., school) enhance mental health.

3: Emotional health-The ability to control emotions so that you feel comfortable expressing them and can express them appropriately.

Advantages of Physical Activity

As fitness professionals, we spend a great deal of time inspiring and assisting others in their pursuit of improved health. Education is an important aspect of this. We must promote the benefits of regular activity and help people understand why they should be active.