In our daily life we come across many people who claim to be fit and fine but behind this we can see only two things – body built and body separated. Fitness means different things to everyone and therefore fitness depends upon your lifestyle. A person who is it has all the components that constitute a healthy body – muscles, bones, organs, blood, etc. The other factor which is important to mention here is that the person who claims to be fit has a good or healthy mind. Being fit means that you are not only physically strong but mentally strong as well.
Fitness can be defined as a condition of being well balanced and healthy. In simple terms, it means the capacity to do physical activities and perform all the necessary functions of daily life. Physical fitness is normally achieved through adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and moderate-to-high physical activity. One of the most important determinants for being fit and having good health is body composition. Body composition (or percentage of body fat) defines the fitness level of a person. For example, if a person has a high percentage of body fat, then he or she would not be considered fit and would instead be classified as obese.
According to the eighties health bible “The eighties guide,” fitness involves the following components: active transportation of nutrients, active control of body composition, adequate energy from food, the absence of injury, adequate recovery from exertion, and appropriate mental attitude towards life. Active transportation refers to the movement of the whole body (i.e., muscle contractions and breathing) in order to reach an activity or position of activity. Body Composition is also known as bioelectric impedance. Bioelectrical impedance is the difference between the resistance and motion of a system. Exercise is the way in which the body compacts with the environment during exercise.
A person’s body composition provides a foundation for determining his or her fitness level. However, to arrive at a fitness level estimation, several factors have to be taken into account: muscular endurance, muscular power, aerobic capacity, body fat percentage, and muscle strength. Muscle strength refers to the maximal weight that can be lifted in the body during an exercise bout. Aerobic capacity is the maximum amount of oxygen that can be consumed by the body during an extended period of time. Body fat percentage is the ratio of total body fat to the weight of the limbs.
The study of fitness often has to take into account these four components. However, studies of fitness are still largely concerned with training and performance variables. Training may affect the body composition but it does not necessarily influence physical activity levels or endurance. It is the latter factor that directly influences fitness and the resulting improvements in health.
If all these factors are improved through regular physical fitness training, then the person will remain healthy and live longer. However, for this goal to be achieved, it is necessary to adopt a balanced fitness program. Therefore, a comprehensive workout program consisting of cardiovascular exercises, flexibility training, and weight-training routines should be adopted by the person.