Physical Fitness
Physical Fitness
The general definition of physical fitness is “a set of attributes that people have or achieve relating to their ability to perform physical activity” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996). The two types of physical fitness most identified are health-related physical fitness and skill-related physical fitness. Health-related physical fitness relates to functional health. It is believed that all students can improve their health status through daily physical activity. It is one of the few areas where all students can succeed regardless of ability levels and genetic limitations. On the other hand, skillrelated physical fitness refers to physical performance related to athletic ability. It is performance oriented and influenced by genetic traits and abilities. Health-related Physical Fitness – The four components of health-related fitness are cardiovascular endurance, body composition, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance. • Cardiovascular endurance is the ability of the heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system to work efficiently delivering oxygen to the muscles for an extended period of time. Walking, jogging, biking, rope jumping, aerobics, and swimming are examples. Body Composition is the proportion of body fat to lean body mass. Typically, activities that help to develop cardiovascular endurance also help to improve body composition. Flexibility is the range of motion through which a joint or sequence of joints can move. The length of muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be increased through stretching. Muscular strength and endurance – Muscular strength is the ability of muscles to exert force (contract). Muscular endurance is the ability to exert force over an extended period (contract repeatedly). Endurance postpones the onset of fatigue so that activity can be performed for lengthy periods. Throwing, kicking, and striking skills and weight bearing activities are examples of activities that help to
The general definition of physical fitness is “a set of attributes that people have or achieve relating to their ability to perform physical activity” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996). The two types of physical fitness most identified are health-related physical fitness and skill-related physical fitness. Health-related physical fitness relates to functional health. It is believed that all students can improve their health status through daily physical activity. It is one of the few areas where all students can succeed regardless of ability levels and genetic limitations. On the other hand, skillrelated physical fitness refers to physical performance related to athletic ability. It is performance oriented and influenced by genetic traits and abilities. Health-related Physical Fitness – The four components of health-related fitness are cardiovascular endurance, body composition, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance. • Cardiovascular endurance is the ability of the heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system to work efficiently delivering oxygen to the muscles for an extended period of time. Walking, jogging, biking, rope jumping, aerobics, and swimming are examples. Body Composition is the proportion of body fat to lean body mass. Typically, activities that help to develop cardiovascular endurance also help to improve body composition. Flexibility is the range of motion through which a joint or sequence of joints can move. The length of muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be increased through stretching. Muscular strength and endurance – Muscular strength is the ability of muscles to exert force (contract). Muscular endurance is the ability to exert force over an extended period (contract repeatedly). Endurance postpones the onset of fatigue so that activity can be performed for lengthy periods. Throwing, kicking, and striking skills and weight bearing activities are examples of activities that help to