HEALTH RELATED FITNESS

There are 5 components of health related fitness:

Cardiovascular Fitness – This is also sometimes known as stamina and is the

ability of your body to continuously provide enough energy to sustain
submaximal levels of exercise (the ability to take on and utilize oxygen through
efficient heart and lung actions).
Muscular Strength – This is the ability of a muscle or muscles to exert maximal
force to overcome a resistance.

Muscular Endurance – Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle to make

continuous contractions over a set period of time whilst resisting fatigue.

Flexibility – This is the range of movement possible at joints within the body.

Body Composition – Amount of muscle, fat, bone, cartilage etc. that makes up
our body.

SKILL RELATED FITNESS

There are 6 components of skill related fitness:

Speed – Is the ability to move one or more body parts quickly.

Power – Is the product of strength and speed. It is when we move as quickly and as forcefully
as we can respond to a stimulus and initiate a response.
Reaction Time – Is how quickly the brain can
Coordination – Is the ability to use the body parts and senses together to produce smooth
efficient movements.
Balance – Is the ability to maintain equilibrium whilst moving or stationary.
Agility – Is the ability to change the direction and the speed at
which you are travelling, quickly and efficiently.

Age – Physical fitness generally declines with the ageing process. However, the speed at which
the effects of ageing occur can be offset by regular physical activity.

Gender – Due to hormonal deviations (testosterone/estrogen) males tend to have a larger

muscle mass, larger lungs and a larger aerobic ability than females, who often have better
flexibility and a higher body fat percentage.

Physique/Body Type – Body type will have a significant impact on a person’s ability to perform
various physical tasks. We classify individuals into 3 body types(somatotypes) ectomorphs,
endomorphs and mesomorphs. It isimportant to note that individuals can have a combination
of two or more somatotypes. Ectomorphs have a slim build,low body fat percentage and are
suited to endurance events Mesomorphs have an athletic build and are suited to sprint events
and swimming Endomorphs have a rounded shapeand are suited tostrength/power events such
as wrestling and throwing events

Diet–When exercising,the body requires sufficient quantities of substances for energy, growth
and repair. A diet that lacks in quality can lead to fatigue, increased levels of adipose tissue,
poor bone growth and slow results in a training program.
Activity level/type – The frequency, intensity, type and time of activities will be a large factor as
to the physiological progressions to the human body.
Physical disabilities – There are many disabilities that can cause physical impairment, however
exercise adaptations can help correct/enhance body functioning with targeted exercises.
Illness and fatigue – Illness will affect training directly. Depending on the illness this can be both
short and long term. Fatigue will hamper progress. Rest is an essential part of an exercise
program.
Drugs – These can be both social and medical. These should be picked
up in preexercisescreening. If medical drugs are prescribed, exercise
clearance may need tobe sought from the clients GP. If social drugs
are taken this will affect the body in a variety of ways. Training
should never take place if you suspect a client has taken recreational
drugs.