What is Fitness?

Fitness
Fitness is a growing industry and plays a very important part in most people's lives. Now fitness can be understood in different ways, for one person it could mean the ability to do gardening all weekend or to walk a certain amount of time and for another having the ability to run 20k in less than 2 hours.
Therefore we have two concepts of fitness:
1. Functional Fitness
The ability to carry out daily tasks with alertness and endurance, without undue fatigue and to recover quickly.
2. Sports Specific Fitness
The accomplishments of physical tasks and sporting activities with high efficiency and endurance.
In general we say that the fitter the individuals, the healthier they are. Fitness will also lead to psychological and social benefits. However, we need to be aware of the excessive and inappropriate exercise's that could be the cause of injury or cause of a decline in health.
Effects of Exercise
The aim of exercise is to improve the overall efficiency of all body systems and improve quality of life. The effects of exercise could be felt immediately â€" short term effects. The adaptations that take place after regular, progressive and balanced exercise activity over a period of time will be felt as improvement â€" long term effect.Short Term Effects (Immediate Effects)Respiratory System
As the muscles demands more oxygen the exchange of gases within the lungs must take place faster, hence an increase in the rate of respiration.More lung tissue is used in order to cope with the increased demand for air so the depth of respiration also increases (increase of tidal volume).
Heart
Greater demands of oxygen causes the heart to beat faster and stronger to push the blood to the working muscles â€" increase in heart rate, cardiac output and stroke volume.
Blood Vessels
Blood diverted from non essential areas to those that require more oxygen (working muscles). Blood vessels close down when blood is diverted and open up in areas which are activated.
Muscles
The muscles demand more muscle oxygen.More muscle fibres are bought into play.Muscle fibres contracting faster and harder due to the increased nerve stimulation.Contracting muscles are aiding venous return.Long Term EffectsRespiratory SystemPossible increase in vital capacity.Decrease in residual volume.Pulmonary ventilation becomes easier.Gaseous exchanges at the alveoli takes place more easilyRespiratory muscles become stronger and more efficient.
Heart
The myocardium (heart tissue) increases in size (hypertrophy) and strength (specially the left ventricle).Resting heart rate increases.Blood pressure decreases.
Blood Vessels
Circulation improves generally.Blood vessels improve their flexibility and become condition to vasoconstriction (closing down) and vasodilatation (opening up) as volumes of blood vary from area to area.
Muscle
Muscle tone generally improves.Muscle size and strength improves.The gas exchange within muscles improve.Increased number of mitochondria.
Deepak BhanguHead of OperationsMusclemadness