MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physical fitness is a measure of one’s ability to function efficiently at any level of activity. While the necessary level varies depending on your profession and lifestyle, the same factors which affect the performance of a professional athlete on game day or an elderly person taking in the groceries affect your ability to perform your day to day activities both at work and play.
These factors are:

1. MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE
Muscular strength is important as it directly affects your ability to move. All of the other factors are secondary, serving to support or enable the work being performed by the muscles. The stronger you are, the easier it is for you to perform any type of physical activity.

2. CARDIOVASCULAR EFFICIENCY
Improvement in cardiovascular efficiency enables you to perform more demanding physical activities longer and with less fatigue. A strong cardiovascular system decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke.

3. FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility enables the working muscles to produce movement. Without adequate flexibility your ability to perform certain movements is reduced, and you may be more susceptible to muscle tears and strains during certain types of activities.

4. BODY COMPOSITION
A leaner body is not only more attractive, it is also more enduring and flexible. Excess body fat is non-productive weight your muscles must work to carry all day increasing your fatigue and reducing your ability to move efficiently. Above a certain percentage, excess body fat can also reduce flexibility. Improve your muscle to fat ratio and you increase your energy levels and improve range of motion.

5. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
The stronger your muscles and bones, the more resistant you are to injury. As your structural strength and injury resistance increase, you will be able to engage in more demanding physical activities with greater confidence and sense of security.