PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physical Fitness


Physical fitness is an attribute required for service in virtually all military forces.
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness (a state of health and well-being) and specific fitness (a task-oriented definition based on the ability to perform specific aspects of sports or occupations).

In previous years, fitness was commonly defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue. However, as automation increased leisure time, changes in lifestyles following the industrial revolution rendered this definition insufficient. These days, physical fitness is considered a measure of the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist hyper kinetic diseases, and to meet emergency situations.

COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physiological Health Related Skill Related Sports

Metabolic Body Composition
Agility
Morphological Cardiovascular Fitness
Balance
Individual Bone Integrity
Flexibility
Motor coordination
Muscular Endurance
Power
Strength
Speed-Reaction time

Other
Accordingly, a general-purpose physical fitness program must address the following essentials[2]:
• Cardiovascular Fitness
• Flexibility Training
• Strength Training
• Muscular Endurance
• Body Composition
• General Skill Training

However, along with these essential components, a comprehensive fitness program that is tailored to an individual will probably focus on one or more specific skills[3], and on age-[4] or health-related needs such as bone health[5]. 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[6]. Working out can also help people sleep better[citation needed]. To stay healthy it's important to participate in physical activity[7].

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.

ARE YOU PHYSICALLY FIT??