Performance-related fitness

Performance-related physical fitness includes such qualities as muscular strength, aerobic power, anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, and flexibility.

Muscular strength is the ability to produce force in a single effort. This type of strength is vital to such athletes as discus and javelin throwers, football linemen, shot-putters, and powerlifters.

Aerobic power is the highest rate at which a person's body can produce energy in the muscles through the use of oxygen. Aerobic power depends on good lung function to supply oxygen to the blood, a strong heart to pump blood to the muscles, and muscles that are efficient in using the oxygen sent to them. Great aerobic power is common among endurance athletes, including cyclists, distance runners, rowers, and distance swimmers. These athletes may have twice the aerobic power of untrained people.

Anaerobic power is the ability to produce great force quickly, a combination of speed and strength. The term anaerobic means without oxygen. Highly anaerobic activities use up energy so fast that they can be sustained for only 30 seconds or less. Anaerobic power is needed in such events as the high jump, long jump, 50- to 100-meter sprints in track, rebounding in basketball, and weightlifting.

Anaerobic capacity is the ability to sustain great force for up to 30 seconds. It is important in 200- and 300-meter sprints in track; 25- and 50-meter swims; and any sport involving brief bursts of maximum effort.

Flexibility is the range of motion of body joints. Great flexibility is needed in such activities as dance, gymnastics, high jumping, hurdling, long jumping, and wrestling. A high degree of flexibility may also help prevent certain sports injuries.

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Physical fitness

Physical fitness is the ability to meet the physical demands of daily life and to resist diseases associated with inactivity. Physical fitness enables people to perform well in sports and other activities, and to look and feel their best.

Physical fitness can be classified into two main kinds: (1) performance-related and (2) health-related. People face different physical demands in the course of their occupations and leisure time. Therefore, the necessary type of conditioning, which may be called performance-related physical fitness, varies from one individual to another. For example, a stockbroker who runs marathon races for recreation requires a high capacity of the heart and lungs to deliver oxygen to leg muscles. On the other hand, a factory worker who lifts heavy crates but reads for relaxation primarily requires great leg and upper body strength to meet daily physical challenges.

The requirements for health-related fitness are similar for all people. Everyone must maintain certain aspects of health-related fitness to feel good and to resist disease.