What does fitness actually need to know?

 What does fitness actually need to know?

What does fitness actually need to know?

According to a health and fitness professional he describes, my job is to understand the terms and definitions used in this industry and to keep up with evolving trends. Through my experience, I have found that a number of terms deserve a little more clarity than what they are given.

In addition to clarifying the definition of health-related fitness, this article aims to highlight some of the associated terms and how they are differentiated.

Is it all in one name?

The fitness world seems to use the concept of health-related fitness like a generic principle of fitness - interchangeably with others such as "physical fitness", "health and fitness" or simply "fitness".

All of these terms can be grouped under the general term health and physical fitness, but individually refer to different aspects - both general and specific. Unfortunately, references to these and other fitness terms are often vague while the consistency in their intended use is poor at best; There is some sort of "generally accepted" use for them, but individuals often rely on their own interpretation and this can create confusion.

Does health-related fitness simply mean fitness through good health? Not quite. Therefore we need to understand a little more behind these words before we digest the definition.

How did the term health-related physical fitness come about?

That's a good question. One might ask what this concept is about - can't we just use the terms "fitness" or "physical fitness" instead? "Why Health" Related "?

The main reason lies in the fact that most health and fitness terms are used inconsistently and often refer to different concepts or terms. The 1996 US Surgeon General Report (Physical Activity and Health; a Surgeon General Report) aimed to combat the alarming rise in obesity among the American public. Studies and initiatives required standardization among clinicians, alternative practitioners, and fitness trainers in order to cope with the task at hand. Enter "Health-Related Physical Fitness," a working term that deals with the general health of the public.

The definition of health-related fitness

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), an important authority in the field, ineffective definitions with ambiguous and subjective language and definitions that contain terms that need to be defined have contributed to confusing the term "physical fitness".

There is no reliable guide for health and fitness professionals on how to measure "physical fitness" because the term has been defined so loosely and inconsistently. Hence, one should consider the concept of health-related fitness. The definition, therefore, focuses on the 5 components of physical fitness that relate to "good health". These components are:

Heart-lung fitness

Body composition

flexibility

Muscle strength

Muscular endurance

On the other hand, competence-related fitness components are:

balance

reaction time

coordination

agility

speed

power

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the definition of physical fitness emphasizes the difference between health-related physical fitness and physical fitness. The starting point is the "health" of the US nation, often referred to as the "public health perspective". In this regard, the 5 health-related fitness components are more important than those related to athletic ability (or competency-related components).

Although the concept of health-related fitness has an integral relationship with "good health", the 5 components are addressed individually by health professionals to enable their measurement.

What is the purpose of the term after we understand it more deeply?

At the point where the definition is omitted, the aim of measuring the 5 components is to educate clients about their own health-related fitness and use the data obtained from the tests to design appropriate exercise programs which are then evaluated.

The 5 components contribute equally to the creation of holistic health-related fitness, which is of direct interest to the health of the normal citizen since the concept is normative. In other words, it is a standard that allows for consistent application.

It is therefore important for those working in the health and fitness industries not to confuse "general physical fitness" with "health-related physical fitness".

In conclusion, let's look at this distinction between physical fitness and health-related fitness

It is important to remember that regular exercise can improve overall physical fitness as well as health-related fitness. However, general fitness is an umbrella term and can be interpreted subjectively, while health-related fitness can be assessed.

The distinction between these two terms is therefore that health-related physical fitness can be measured using a number of established benchmarks.

Here comes the "rubber on the road". The guidelines established by the ACSM enable health professionals to work with clients to assess and measure their response to physical activity and to prescribe appropriate exercise programs. A client's progress can then be monitored and adjusted if necessary to achieve desired fitness goals.

Cleto Tirabassi is a certified fitness trainer with the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).

His work focuses on the "rational approach" to health-related fitness, which uses practical, flexible, and sustainable methods to achieve optimal levels of health and physical fitness.

His clientele is mostly what he calls the "average citizen" who, in short, wants to be in excellent shape and still lead a conventional life.

He lives in Rome, Italy, and is dedicated to helping the people he works with achieve their health and fitness goals. He also understands that the health and fitness industry is constantly evolving, so he keeps a close eye on trends in his field.