Info about Fitness
Becoming Physically Fit
A person’s level of fitness is affected by his or her general physical condition, diet, weight, and the amount of exercise and sleep he or she gets. Fitness also varies with age; sex, and body—build. But for every person, there is a level of total fitness that can be achieved. Although many people ‘ant to be fit, they don’t know what kinds of activities are necessary. There arc some basic kinds of activities one need to develop physical fitness.
• Cardiovascular fitness refers to the body’s ability to supply oxygen to the cells. Riding a bike, walking, running, swimming, and other activities that move the whole body help develop this kind of fitness. These activities are important in helping to avoid heart disease or reduce its severity.
• Muscle strength is the most work each muscle or group of muscles can do at once. Activities that develop muscle strength may involve lifting weights or doing exercises so that certain muscles contract against a fixed object, such as a bar or a wall. Your daily routine probably involves many lifting and carrying movements. You lift and carry heavy books. You may push or pull a variety of heavy objects. To do these things comfortably, you need muscle strength.
• Endurance is the ability of muscles to function for a long period of time. Sit-ups and push-ups are examples of muscle-endurance exercises. They improve the ability of a group of muscles to work over and over without tiring. Exercises that build endurance also improve strength. This means you can walk a long distance without tiring. You can stand for a long period of time without getting a backache.
• Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its whole range of motion. Exercises that improve flexibility include those with stretching and rotating movements. Any bending and reaching movements you make—for example, putting on your shoes— involve flexibility.