The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its constitution of 1948 as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of a physical task.

The components of fitness:

  • Cardiovascular Endurance,
  • Muscular Endurance,
  • Musculoskeleton Strength,
  • Flexibility,
  • Ideal Body Weight,
  • Posture.     

Cardiovascular Endurance:

Cardiovascular fitness is the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissue and the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement. Cardiovascular endurance is the most important aspect of fitness.Cardiovascular health has a direct impact on your performance, both endurance and strength wise.

Muscular endurance:

It is defined as one’s ability to perform many repetitions with a sub-maximum

resistance over a given period of time.

Muscular strength:

It is defined as the ability or capacity of a muscle or muscle group to exert a maximal force against resistance, one time through a full range of motion.

Flexibility:

A person’s flexibility refers to the ability of your joints to move through a full range of motion. Having flexibility in your muscles allows for more movement around the joints.

Ideal Body Weight:

It is believed to be maximally healthful for a person, based chiefly on height but modified by factors such as gender, age, build, and degree of muscular development.

Body mass index (BMI) is categorized by the International Obesity Task Force as:

18.5–24.9 = Healthy weight,

25.0–29.9 = Overweight,

30.0–34.9 = Class I obesity,

35.0–39.9 = Class II obesity,

>40.0 = Class III obesity.

 

Posture:

Posture is the foundation for fitness. The most common cause of injury in adults is musculoskeletal. Prevention of such injuries starts with correct posture. Fitness requires movement. Movement is generated by muscle

 

working together within our body skeleton. Proper posture means our skeleton is aligned in a manner that provides for movement efficiency and grace with minimal risk of injury.