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Fitness - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Fitness : \Fit"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being fit; as, the fitness of
measures or laws; a person's fitness for office.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Fitness : It has been determined that chronic inactivity, or what is referred to as a sedentary lifestyle, increases the risk for a number of diseases.
In contrast, physical exercise and activity can be a very helpful as a health measure. Regular exercise is associated with reduced risks for fats in the blood.
Furthermore, inactive persons who subsequently improve their physical fitness have reduced risk of death from many diseases, including heart disease and stroke.
What exercise program is right for me?
In order to reduce health risks and improve one's health status it is not necessary to enter a strictly formal, aggressive,
uninterrupted workout program.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) define physical activity as "bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure" and produces healthy benefits. Exercise, a type of
physical activity, is defined as "a planned, structured, and repetitive bodily movement done to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness."
Exercise programs must be customized for each individual. They simply cannot be dogmatically defined. It is now recommended that everyone engage in regular physical activity at a level appropriate
to their capacity, needs, and interest.
Children and adults alike should set a goal of accumulating at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, and preferably, all days of the week. Moderate-intensity exercise is
the equivalent of walking at the speed of 3 miles, or about 4-5 kilometers per hour.
One of the key points here is that sedentary persons are encouraged to accumulate 30 minutes of physical activity. Even the most inactive individuals should gradually begin doing some form of
activity which can become physically more challenging with time. Of note, beginning exercise at lower levels of intensity and gradually increasing the level improves the likelihood for persons to
adhere to the program over time.
It is important to recognize that moderate levels of physical activity confer significant health benefits. Even those who currently meet these daily standards may derive additional health and
fitness benefits by becoming more physically active or including more vigorous activity.
For those with known heart or blood vessel disease, heart rehabilitation programs that combine physical activity with reduction in other risk factors are recommended. Prior to beginning an exercise
program, viewers are recommended to consult with their healthcare providers to review options, given their particular history of health conditions. - Lack of physical activity is a health risk.
- Physical activity reduces the risks for heart disease and stroke.
- Physical activity with a proper diet reduces the
risks for obesity.
- Physical activity reduces the risk for diabetes.
- Physical activity reduces stress and the risk of depression.
- Physical activity reduces the risks
for fractures from osteoporosis.
- Physical activity provides other health benefits.
- Exercise programs must be customized for each person.
- Even minor improvement in activity
levels is beneficial for sedentary persons.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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