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Definition of Health Related Fitness

The components of Health related fitness are a basis from which to measure our general wellbeing. It is the aim of exercise to improve our capabilities in each of these areas. Different sports will be more demanding in some, and less demanding in others, but athletes usually strive to achieve a reasonable level of health fitness in each area.

There are five health related components of fitness. These are Cardiovascular Endurance, Muscular Strength, Flexibility, Muscular Endurance, Body Composition.

Unless you are focusing on perfecting your body perfprmance for a particularly demanding sport, a balanced level of achievement in each of these fitness components should be your goal. Your fitness program should include activities and exercises that promote each of these health related fitness components.

Cardiovascular Endurance

Cardiovascular endurance is also referred to as aerobic fitness, and is a measure of the athletes ability to continue with exercise which places demands on the circulatory and respiratory system over a prolonged period of time. This occurs in activities such as running, walking, cycling and swimming.

Muscular Strength

health and fitness Muscular strength is the maximal force that can be applied against a resistance. It could be measured by the largest weight a person could lift. or the largest body they could push or pull.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the measure of free movement in a persons joints. This is especially important in gymnastics.

Muscular Endurance

Muscular endurance differs from muscular strength in that it is a measure of a persons ability to repeatly apply maximal force, for example in a series of press ups, over a period of time.

Body Composition

Body composition is usually measured by the percentage body fat a person carries.