Why is fitness important

Being healthy and fit is every person’s ideal state of life. Physical fitness is a condition of being physically stable and healthy. It can be achieved through a balanced diet through a nutritional intake of food and proper exercise. The importance of exercise cannot be overstressed in the realm of physical fitness. In the early 20th century, West saw an increase in the rate of heart attack more than infectious diseases. Hence, a London based study conducted in 1953 of bus conductors showed essential insights. It came to notice that since buses were double-deckers and conductors had to constantly be on their toes up and down the bus, they suffered half as many heart attacks as their driver fellows. Many more investigations later, it was confirmed that exercise benefits heart and circulation and consequently affects the overall body system.

Exercise keeps you fit and away from diseases like stroke, cancer, diabetes, liver, kidney diseases and osteoporosis. Mental fitness can also be attributed to exercise, because yoga, meditation and similar rituals prevent the mind from collapsing after a shocking life situation. In some cases, mental fitness will be able to drag you out of depression so you can focus on the brighter side of life and once again move towards being physically fit.

The U.S. Health and Human Services department suggests 150 minutes of physical activity per week with modest intensity for adults. Brisk walking and general gardening that form aerobic exercise can be extended beyond 10 minutes and extend right through the week. For children and teenagers, 1 hour daily physical activity is recommended as they are growing up and need to strengthen their bodies and system. Vigorous activities like running, jumping, bicycling, sports are all activities that they would love to engage into and consequently benefit from in future as well.

A study group sponsored by the US govt. outlined physical fitness with following categories

  • Physiological: metabolic, morphological, bone integrity, etc.
  • Health related: body composition, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness
  • Skill related: agility, balance, coordination, reflexes, power, speed etc.
  • Sports: Individual or team sport, Lifetime etc.

Physical fitness improves cardiovascular endurance by providing oxygen to the tissues and removing toxins. As the immune system boosts up, strength to fight off diseases and infections is developed. When your fat is reduced and lean mass is increased you get a body that is also flexible in old age. Exercise greatly improves muscular strength. The detoxification of your body occurs, letting your skin breathe and release endorphins.