Definition of Fitness

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical fitness is defined as 'the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies.' Based on this definition, fitness involves everything from getting out of bed to hiking to performing CPR.

In order to complete all of these tasks, one must consistently address their fitness levels. This requires proper conditioning through both structured exercise and leisurely activities

IMPORTANCE  OF FITNESS

Depending on the source, the components of fitness vary considerably. Below are common components:

• Cardiorespiratory endurance - typically measured by how long or fast a person can perform an activity and how this impacts measurements such as heart rate and oxygen consumption.
• Muscular endurance - typically measured by how many repetitions of an exercise a person can perform. Common tests involve push-ups and sit ups.
• Muscular strength - typically measured by how much weight can be moved in relation to repetitions. Exercises involving multiple joints and muscle groups such as squats or bench press are often used.
• Muscular power - typically measured by how much force can be generated during a given activity. Advanced equipment used by biomechanists are often needed to measure muscular power.
• Flexibility - typically measured by how far a muscle group can be stretched or joint can be moved. The most common tests involve the hamstrings and shoulders.
• Balance - typically measured by how long a particular position can be held with or without some type of activity being performed. Simple tests such as standing on one leg can be used to assess balance. More advanced tests may involve standing on an unsteady object while trying to catch a ball.
• Speed - typically measured by how quickly an individual can move from one point to another. The 40-yard dash is often used to assess speed.

Factors Affecting Physical Fitness & Performance

Beth has heard that kids today are less physically fit than ever, but why is this? Both long term and short term physical fitness are affected by a great number of factors, such as:

• Injury - Any serious injury will have an adverse effect on a student's physical fitness. When the body takes time to heal, it takes away opportunities to move and build strength, stamina and coordination.
• Lack of physical activity - When Beth's students show up at the gym, she can tell they've been spending more time in front of screens than they do on their feet. Increasing school demands, families with both parents working, neighborhoods with fewer parks, and cuts in school recess all mean that kids spend less time outside and moving, which results in overall lower fitness.
• Poor diet/nutrition - The amount of fast food and quick options kids can grab has increased over the years. They seem to be eating more junk and fewer whole foods, which means they don't get as much nutrition as they could. This results in an overall lower level of physical fitness. Beth knows its super important to teach her students about making healthy food choices.

Physical Activity: Health, Fitness and Performance

If your goal is to get more active so you can improve your overall health and protect yourself from disease, then you will benefit from all forms of physical activity. But, if you're looking to improve your performance for our future and get ready to live a healthy life