Physical_fitness

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Physical fitness Physical fitness Components Of Physical Fitness • Agility • Jumping • Balance • Body composition • Reflexes • Cardiovascular endurance • Coordination • Flexibility and joint range of motion • Speed • Stamina • Strength • Acceleration Many sources also cite mental and emotional health as an important part of overall fitness. This is often presented in textbooks as a triangle made up of three sub-sections, which represent physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Hence, one may be physically fit but may still suffer from a mental illness or have emotional problems. The "ideal triangle" is balanced in all areas. Physical fitness can also prevent or treat many chronic health conditions brought on by unhealthy lifestyle or aging, among other implications. Working out can also help people sleep better. To stay healthy it’s important to participate in physical activity. Physical fitness is an attribute required for service in virtually all military forces. Physical fitness is used in two close meanings: general fitness (a state of health and well-being) and specific fitness (a taskoriented definition based on the ability to perform specific aspects of sports or occupations). Physical fitness is the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and muscles at optimum efficiency. In previous years, fitness was defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue. Automation increased leisure time, and changes in lifestyles following the industrial revolution meant this criterion was no longer sufficient. Optimum efficiency is the key. Physical fitness is now defined as the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist hypokinetic diseases, and to meet emergency situations. Fitness can also be divided into five categories: aerobic fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Specific fitness Specific or task-oriented fitness is a person’s ability to perform in a specific activity with a reasonable efficiency, for example, sports or military service. Specific training prepares athletes to perform well in their sports. Examples are: • 400m sprint - in a sprint the athlete must be trained to work anaerobically throughout the race. • Marathon - in this case the athlete must be trained to work aerobically and their endurance must be built-up to a maximum. Fire fighters and police officers must undergo regular Fitness testing to determine if they are capable of the physically demanding General fitness 1 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia tasks required for the job before they are employed. Members of the Army and Army National Guard must be able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). • • • • • • Obesity VO2 max Exergaming Neutral spine Health club Harvard Step Test Physical fitness See also • • • • • Physical exercise Personal Trainer CPR National Academy of Sports Medicine Physical fitness test External links • HealthierUS.gov Official website • President’s Council on Physical Fitness • National Guard Guard Fit Challenge Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_fitness" Categories: Exercise, Prevention This page was last modified on 21 May 2009, at 09:02 (UTC). All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) taxdeductible nonprofit charity. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers 2