 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Health Related Physical Fitness The health related components of physical fitness include body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance. Optimal levels of each component are associated with good health. Health benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness include: a reduction in risk factors for coronary heart disease including reduced resting blood pressure, increased HDL-Cholesterol, reduced total and intra-abdominal fat, reduced insulin needs, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced platelet adhesiveness and aggregation; lower death rates from coronary heart disease; and lower rates of for coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and gallbladder disease. Optimal levels of muscular strength and endurance help improve or maintain the following health related conditions: bone mass which is related to osteoporosis; glucose tolerance which is related to type 2 diabetes; musculotendinous integrity which is related to lower risk of injury including low back pain; fat-free mass and resting metabolic rate which are related to weight control; and the ability to carry out activities of daily living. Flexibility is important in injury prevention and the ability to carry out activities of daily living. Excess body fat is associated with hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, and hyperlipidemia. In addition, these components are all probably related to decreased anxiety and depression, enhanced feelings of well being, enhanced physical function and independent living in older adults, and enhanced performance of work, recreational, and sport activities. (Taken and adapted from ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 7 th edition.) |
|
| copyright ?2005-2006 Longhorn Stampede |
