Quick! How many push-ups can you do? How fast can you run? How high can you jump? How big are your muscles? How much weight can you lift? These and other questions are often asked when trying to determine the level of one's physical fitness. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines physical as " of or relating to the body" and defines fitness as " the capacity of an organism to survive and transmit its genotype to reproductive offspring as compared to competing organisms; also: the contribution of an allele or genotype to the gene pool of subsequent generations as compared to that of other alleles or genotypes". In other words, your body has to be a certain way in order for you to be able to compete against others both in common activity and reproduction. Some components of physical fitness are exercise, nutrition, and societal standards. This page focuses on:
- Exercise (types of exercise and exercises you can do)
- Nutrition (and recommended healthy foods- ask your doctor about them before going on a health food binge!)
- Society's Views about Healthy Living and Physical Fitness
This may very well be the most dreaded component of physical fitness. Exercise is often emphasized in an elementary school-level curriculum. Children in elementary school (basic school and/or primary school in many other countries) are "forced" to play hopscotch, jump rope, kickball, and (worst of all) dodge ball. While many people believe that their gym classes were somewhat devastating (on the dramatic end of the spectrum), exercise is healthy and beneficial. When one exercises, she may feel slight pain when she first begins working out. However, exercise releases endorphins, anti-stress hormones that relieve pain naturally. Endorphins are also known to be natural happy drugs (that is, hormones that naturally make you feel good). Exercise encourages perspiration, which cools the body by evaporation. The other function of perspiration is to eliminate waste products such as urea, the end product of protein metabolism. In essence, it is healthy and normal for females to sweat. When one exercises, she is also helping to maintain healthy bones, muscles, joints, and body weight. Exercise also promotes psychological well-being. Exercise doesn't sound THAT bad now, does it?
Healthy Living Main Page
What types of exercise exist?
What type of simple exercises can I do to try and stay fit?
Nutrition - What are YOU eating?
Society's Views about Healthy Living and Physical Fitness
Links and Bibliography