Physical fitness defines the way we move and how we can defend ourselves and our surroundings. This definition may include endurance or strength, speed or agility, and flexibility or the range of motion of joints. Physical fitness helps us live longer and healthier lives, it improves our work performance, it reduces the risk of disability and accidents, and it makes us feel better about ourselves. Physical fitness therefore implies a combination of factors like the ability to move the body without suffering pain, flexibility to stretch and pull, endurance to endure the exertion, muscle strength to resist injury and stress, and balance to coordinate limbs, bones, and joints. The goal of physical fitness programs is to increase these characteristics and to decrease the risk of injury and disease.
Fitness is not a specific quantity; rather, it is the capacity to achieve and maintain a minimum standard of physical activity, an ability to attain and maintain a reasonable level of health, and the right balance between diet and exercise. Healthy fitness identifies a condition in which all the components of fitness are present and in balance. It also implies that physical activity produces the right results, that the body achieves an optimum state, and that health and illness are less likely. A healthy lifestyle is an important component of fitness. Regular physical exercise is central to any healthy lifestyle. Exercise has many benefits, including promoting weight control, reducing cardiovascular risk, improving muscle tone and size, improving immune function, and enhancing mental fitness.
A healthy lifestyle is not the same as a low-level of fitness. Some people may have a very good level of fitness, but their fitness program may not be optimal because they are inactive or have poor nutritional habits or are overweight. For people in this situation, a fitness program that builds on their strengths and makes use of their weaknesses will bring them the results they desire. The difference between a healthy lifestyle and a fitness program is the time commitment to achieving the desired outcome. When fitness is achieved at the pace that is appropriate for the individual, it is known as good fitness.
Good fitness is achieved by maintaining a high level of heart rate, resistance to fatigue, and being able to maintain a stable pulse rate. An individual with high levels of heart rate, strong circulation, and an optimal pulse rate has the potential to have a powerful aerobic system, capable of providing a powerful aerobic function to support the necessary strength training for optimal muscle growth. If you are an athlete looking for a healthy advantage in your sport, then a cardio training program is an important part of your fitness goals.
The goal of a fitness program is to increase the oxygen intake and expenditure of a specific group of muscles or muscle groups, while limiting the consumption of carbon dioxide. Aerobic activity provides the most energy, but some types of exercise can also provide the most benefit to the nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for coordinating and executing actions that require alertness and speed. If you are exercising or training, remember to think about your muscles and how they will benefit from the activity.
Overall health is also enhanced through regular exercise. It has been scientifically proven that if an individual increase their fitness levels by just five percent, there noticeable improvement in their mental state and their ability to cope with stressors and chronic diseases. These improvements in mental well being and physical strength occur as a result of increased blood circulation, reduced blood pressure, decreased insulin resistance, increased lymph flow, and increased oxygen to muscles and other tissues throughout the body. In addition to the benefits noted previously, increased fitness improves the strength, mobility, and endurance of the skeletal, muscular, and immune systems. It is no wonder that people who are living an active lifestyle are less likely to develop a number of chronic diseases.