What Do We Really Mean By Being Fit?

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Fitness is a personalised journey, a concept that varies based on individual medical history, health status, and sporting aspirations. Beyond the physical realm, it also extends into emotional and mental dimensions. While these facets are interconnected, our focus often centres on physiological fitness, encapsulated in the five key components known as the health-related components of fitness.

Cardiovascular Endurance: This represents your ability to intake oxygen, circulate it through your blood, and utilize it efficiently in your active muscles. Activities like aerobics, jogging, and cycling are instrumental in enhancing cardiovascular endurance. Regular workouts not only increase the heart's capacity to hold more blood but also strengthen the heart wall, resulting in improved exercise tolerance and reduced resting pulse.

Muscular Strength and Muscular Endurance: Considered two sides of the same coin, muscular strength and endurance complement each other. They are essential for daily activities, from playing as a child to maintaining independence in old age. Endurance involves repeated contractions against less than maximal resistance, improving with regular exercise by enhancing oxygen supply to the muscles. Strength training induces microscopic tears in muscle tissues, and with proper nutrition and rest, leads to muscle growth, impacting cross-sectional muscle size and strength.

Flexibility: Often undervalued, flexibility or suppleness becomes apparent when lost due to injury. Tightness in specific muscles, like the hamstrings, can influence pelvic alignment, affecting the lower spine and potentially leading to health issues such as sciatica. Maintaining flexibility is crucial for overall health and prevents various complications.

Body Composition: More than just weight, body composition reveals the percentage of body weight attributed to fat. Excessive body fat increases the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, and respiratory issues. Recognizing that lean bodyweight, muscles, and bones are denser than fat challenges the perception that weight alone defines fitness. Body composition is a key metric, explaining why individuals with similar weights may have different shapes.

In the pursuit of holistic fitness, consider these health-related components beyond the physical realm. Fitness isn't just about appearances; it's a comprehensive journey that encompasses physical, emotional, and mental well-being. So, embrace the journey, unlock your potential, and redefine your understanding of fitness.