Components Of Fitness

Fitness > Components Of Fitness

10-COMPONENTS OF FITNESS

We all aspire to be fit or in shape, but what does that really mean? Do you have to be an athlete to achieve fitness? how much time should you invest in it?

To help us answer these questions, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has developed national standards for physical training. These standards outline 10 components of fitness that help define what it means to be fit.

Physical fitness is a general term for the ability of the body to perform various activities. It's generally divided into two main categories: health-related and skill-related.

Health-Related Components of Fitness

These components are essential for overall health and well-being:

Body composition: The ratio of lean body mass (muscle, bone, and organs) to fat mass
Cardiorespiratory endurance: The ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to supply oxygen to the body during sustained physical activity.
Muscular strength: The ability of a muscle to exert a single maximum force.
Muscular endurance: The ability of a muscle to exert repeated contractions over a period of time.
Flexibility: The range of motion around a joint.

Skill-Related Components of Fitness

These components are often associated with athletic performance:

Power: The ability to exert maximum force in a minimum amount of time.
Speed: The ability to move quickly.
Agility: The ability to change direction quickly.
Balance: The ability to maintain equilibrium.
Coordination: The ability to perform movements smoothly and accurately.

Note: While these components are typically discussed separately, they often work together. A well-rounded fitness routine should include exercises that improve both muscular strength and muscular endurance.

Circuit Training
Body Weight Training
Resistance Bands Training
Suspension Training
Interval Training

While the secondary components are skill-related and often trained just by athletes or sports enthusiasts, they are as important as the primary components, and you should make them part of your fitness program.