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Achieving Physical Fitness
• Benefits
of Physical Fitness
As stated
before, physical fitness is not a measure of athletic ability
or physical beauty. Rather, it is defined by a list of components
that measure one's overall ability to perform normal physical
activity. These include:
- Balance
- Flexibility
- Cardio-respiratory
and muscular stamina
- Strength
- Percent
of body fat
- Exercise
- above-normal physical activity - is the most common method
of improving fitness levels.
Achieving Physical Fitness
Reaching and maintaining optimal performance
levels for your unique body through regular exercise is the
key to physical fitness. You should consult your physician
before beginning any exercise program.
The most effective exercise programs include
sustained rigorous activity for 30 minutes at least three
times per week. Choose from a list of activities walking,
running, biking, tennis, swimming, calisthenics, dancing,
and many others. For more structured exercise, you may join
a health club.
Also, try supplementing your regular exercise
with other opportunities for physical activity, like climbing
stairs instead of taking the elevator, or walking instead
of taking the bus.
Benefits
of Physical Fitness
Exercise
does far more than get you in shape. It improves your life.
On the physiological side, exercise can:
- strengthen
your heart; as your heart becomes stronger, it becomes more
efficient.
- regulate
cholesterol; proper cholesterol levels improve your arteries.
- reduce
blood pressure; high blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular
disease and stroke.
- increase
metabolism; exercise can help control body weight.
- improve
lung capacity; exercise can help expand your lungs and improve
your body's ability to use the extra oxygen.
- increase
your life expectancy; naturally, as the above improvements
take place, you'll become healthier.
Many
people begin exercising because they feel bad. Similarly,
many people continue exercising because they feel good. On
the psychological side, exercise can:
- relieve
emotional stress and anxieties; exercise can help reduce
the biochemicals released in the body during normal times
of stress.
- relieve
depression; exercise causes the body to produce endorphins,
chemicals that cause a relaxed, peaceful state of mind.
- increase
energy; regular exercise can make you feel more energetic
and alert.
- increase
self-esteem; the improved physical and psychological state
can make people feel good about themselves, how they look
and feel, and what they have accomplished through exercise.
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Overview