COMPONENTS OF FITNESS

Physical fitness is the ability to function effectively in physical work, training, and other activities and still have enough energy left over to handle any emergencies which may arise.

The components of physical fitness are as follows:

• Cardiorespiratory (CR) endurance - the efficiency with which the body delivers oxygen and nutrients needed for muscular activity and transports waste products from the cells.
• Muscular strength - the greatest amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert in a single effort.
• Muscular endurance - the ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated movements with a sub-maximal force for extended periods of time.
• Flexibility - the ability to move the joints (for example, elbow, knee) or any group of joints through an entire, normal range of motion.
• Body composition - the amount of body fat a person has in comparison to his total body mass.

Improving the first three components of fitness listed above will have a positive impact on body composition and will result in less fat. Excessive body fat detracts from the other fitness components, reduces performance, detracts from appearance, and negatively affects one's health.

Factors such as speed, agility, muscle power, eye-hand coordination, and eye-foot coordination are classified as components of "motor" fitness. These factors affect a person's survivability in the wilderness. Appropriate training can improve these factors within the limits of each person's potential.