The 5 Components Of Physical Fitness

The definition of physical fitness can vary, but most experts agree that there are 5 components of physical fitness. These components represent how fit and healthy the body is as a whole.

1. Cardiovascular Fitness
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular), and it's the system that supplies oxygen and blood throughout the body. Cardiovascular fitness is the body's ability to supply oxygen and blood to the working muscles during exercise that lasts for an extended period of time. Aerobic Exercise improves cardiovascular fitness.

2. Muscular Strength
Muscular strength is the amount of force a muscle can exert against a heavy resistance. Anaerobic Exercise improves muscular strength.

3. Muscular Endurance
Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle to repeat a movement many times or to hold a particular position for an extended period of time. Both aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise improve muscular endurance.

4. Flexibility
Flexibility is the degree to which an individual muscle will lengthen. Stretching improves flexibility.

5. Body Composition
Body composition is the amount of fat in the body compared to the amount of lean mass (muscles, bones, organs etc.). Several methods can be used to calculate body fat.

Now that you know what the 5 components of physical fitness are, you need to make sure that your fitness program addresses all five components, not just one or two. There are plenty of weight lifters who have a lot of muscular strength but poor cardiovascular fitness and too much body fat. There are also plenty of runners who have excellent cardiovascular fitness and low body fat but little muscular strength. A well-rounded fitness program that addresses all five components will result in increased functional fitness and better overall health.

Leave the 5 Components Of Physical Fitness page and return to the Home page