Are you fit? The fitness trend has been around for many years and seems to be gaining more and more followers. But does being fit mean only being athletic? What are the facets of fitness? Learn more about the different determinants of physical fitness in this article.
What does the term "fitness" mean?
Being fit is in and usually associated with an athletic appearance. But what exactly is behind it? The term "fitness" generally refers to the ability to perform and withstand stress in everyday life and is measured in terms of various physical and mental abilities. In the sporting context, fitness is described as the current state of physical performance. Here, the following motor fundamentals are distinguished: strength, endurance, coordination, mobility and speed. In the following sections you will learn more about these 5 determinants and how you can train them.
Strength
Force is the ability of the muscular system to overcome or counteract resistance by contraction of the skeletal muscles. Muscles work concentrically (muscle shortens: press barbell upwards), isometrically (muscle length remains the same: hold barbell at the same height) or eccentrically (muscle lengthens: lower barbell again). Furthermore, one can distinguish between rapid strength, strength endurance, reactive strength and maximum strength. For example, weightlifting requires a lot of maximum strength, while the long jump is more about quick strength.
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Endurance is the resistance to fatigue during athletic exertion or the ability to regenerate after it. It is often also described as stamina. Endurance can be differentiated in terms of aerobic and anaerobic work. If the organism has enough oxygen available during training, it is called aerobic energy supply. If the cells have to work without enough oxygen, it is anaerobic training. Endurance training has proven to be particularly beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. You can train your endurance with these sports, for example.
Speed
This refers to the ability to execute movements at maximum speed. This determinant can also be differentiated more precisely. Cyclic speed describes the maximum speed in a repetitive sequence of movements, such as running or swimming. Acyclic speed means the speed with which a single movement such as a throw or a jump is executed.
Mobility
Mobility, also called flexibility, is the ability to assume different positions and postures with the greatest possible amplitude of movement. This is the case when muscles, ligaments and tendons work together in the best possible way and can thus utilize the entire range of motion. Training flexibility is not only important for athletes, because it allows you to maintain your motor skills for as long as possible, avoid bad postures and imbalances, and counteract shortened muscles. For example, in some people the hip flexor is shortened due to a lot of sitting, which can even affect the upper body and the spine and thus contribute to the development of back pain.
Coordination
Coordination is the ability to control movements in a targeted manner and to perform them precisely and harmoniously. This includes balance, reaction speed and rhythm. The interaction of the motor nerves and the skeletal muscles is crucial. Good coordination helps prevent falls, for example.
Body Zone Workouts: Strong and Flexible Through Daily Life
In today’s technology-driven world, many people spend hours in the office, sitting in front of computers, often neglecting their physical health. The modern lifestyle, characterized by extensive desk work and minimal physical activity, can lead to various aches and pains. This is where Body Zone Workouts come in – targeted preventive training sessions designed to strengthen specific body regions and prevent discomfort.
Sports that are gentle on the joints
Joints are true marvels of the body that allow us mobility and freedom of movement. As with everything in life, the right amount of exercise is crucial: an appropriate load is important to keep joints healthy. But what happens when pain or joint discomfort occurs? In our blog post, we’ll show you forms of exercise that will help you increase your fitness without putting too much strain on your joints.
