Physical fitness

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Physical fitness is an attribute required for service in virtually all military forces.

Physical fitness is used in two close meanings - general fitness (a state of health and well-being) and specific fitness (a task-oriented definition based on the ability to perform specific aspects of sports or occupations).

1 General fitness
2 Specific fitness
3 Notable fitness instructors
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] General fitness

Physical fitness is the result of regular physical activity, proper diet and nutrition, and proper rest for physical recovery within the parameters allowed by the genome.

Physical fitness is often divided into the following types (in alphabetical order):

Many sources also cite mental and emotional health as an important part of overall fitness. This is often presented in textbooks as a triangle made up of three sub-sections which represent physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Hence, one may be physically fit but may still suffer from a mental illness or have emotional problems. The "ideal triangle" is balanced in all areas.

Physical fitness provides more than just the ability to do something. People who are fitter are healthier and lead better lives. Many of the leading causes of death are lifestyle diseases that can be cured by simple exercise. For example, both heart disease, the number one killer last year, and Type 2 diabetes are directly related to lack of exercise.

[edit] Specific fitness

Specific or task-oriented fitness is a person's ability to perform in a specific activity with a reasonable efficiency, for example, sports or military service. Specific training prepares athletes to perform well in their sports.

Examples are:

100m sprint - in a sprint the athlete must be trained to work anaerobically throughout the race.
Marathon - in this case the athlete must be trained to work aerobically and their endurance must be built-up to a maximum.

Fitness testing is also conducted for fire fighters and police officers to determine if they are capable of the physically demanding tasks required for the job before they are employed.