Physical fitness and body conditioning; what it means

Physical fitness is the ability of an individual to perform his daily work well without feeling too tired and still have reserve energy in case of emergency.

Components of Physical Fitness

The components of physical fitness are:

(a) Health related component

(b) Skills or performance related components

(a) The health related components are:

(i) Muscular power

(ii) Muscular strength

(iii) Muscular endurance

(iv) Cardio vascular respiratory endurance

(v) Flexibility

(vi) Resistance to diseases

(b) The performance related components include

(i) Coordination

(ii) Muscular power

(iii) Speed

(iv) Agility

(v) Accuracy

(vi) Balance

(vii) Body composition

Flexibility and power are essential for health and very important for skills performance.

Characteristics of a Physically Fit Person

The characteristics of a physically fit person are as follows:

(i) Physical characteristics: He has organic vigour, organic base, is active, is skilled in some physical activities and enjoys a sense of well-being.

(ii) Social characteristics: He understands and respects the rights of other people, practices service above self and makes satisfactory group adjustments.

(iii) Mental characteristics: He has a healthy outlook of life, has good sense of judgment, thinks independently and constructively and is resourceful.

(iv) Emotional characteristics: He has stability and self-control and faces reality in an honest manner.

Importance of Physical Fitness

(i) Physical fitness promotes sense of well-being

(ii) It improves stamina

(iii) It prevents both major and minor illnesses

(iv) The speed of recovery from illness is enhanced

EVALUATION

1. What is physical fitness?
2. List five components of health related and performance related physical components
3. Mention two importance of physical fitness.
4. List five components of physical fitness.
5. Mention factors that contribute to physical fitness.
6. Differentiate between health related and performance related physical fitness
7. How would you identify a physically fit person?