Download Being Physically Fit

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Being Physically Fit
By Jennifer Kenny
Are you physically fit? What exactly is physical fitness? Physical
fitness is the body's ability to complete day-to-day activities without
becoming too sore, without becoming too tired, and without getting out of
breath. Exercise is physical activity that can maintain or lead to physical
fitness. Exercise can be simple like playing outside or more formal like
working out at a gym. Unfortunately, many people today are not
physically fit. Some modern conveniences like the television remote and
escalators make some people downright lazy.
Not exercising can cause people to develop certain chronic diseases.
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2
diabetes often develop slowly and continue over a long time.
On the other hand, being active has many health benefits. When a person exercises, his heart and lungs get
stronger. Very often blood cholesterol levels are healthy. Metabolic rate improves. More calories are burned and
the person's muscle to fat ratio is good. There are mental benefits as well. Exercise reduces stress. Exercise
causes your body to release endorphins, or body chemicals that make you feel well. There are social benefits to
exercise, too. If you are fit, you feel better about yourself and are more likely to socialize. Certain physical
activities like sports increase your social skills as you work together and interact with others.
Physical fitness has five parts - muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardio respiratory endurance,
flexibility, and body composition. Muscular strength is improved through activities such as climbing the stairs or
lifting weights. Muscular endurance refers to working your muscles over time. Skiing and gymnastics need good
muscular endurance. The most important part of fitness has to do with cardio respiratory endurance, or the ability
of your heart, blood vessels, blood, and lungs to deliver oxygen. Aerobic exercises like walking or swimming
help your cardio respiratory endurance. Flexibility refers to smooth joint movements. Keeping your joints
flexible through exercise is important so you don't become stiffer as you age. Finally, a healthy person has a
decent body composition when comparing muscle to fat.
Athletes are often interested in the skills related to physical fitness. These skills are coordination, balance,
agility, power, speed, and reaction. These are important for sports.
There are many sports out there. There are more organized ones such as football or basketball. There are
other sports such as hiking and fishing, too. Some sports require certain abilities. Some are team-oriented; some
are individual-oriented. Some require no facilities; others require specialized facilities. The competition during
sports can be enjoyable and teach good sportsmanship.
Whatever activity you choose - there's some physical activity out there for you. Develop these habits early in
life. Choices you make now will affect the rest of your life. Be active.
Name
Date
Being Physically Fit
Questions
1. The body's ability to complete day-to-day activities without becoming too sore, becoming too tired, and
getting out of breath is called ______.
2. ______ is physical activity that can maintain or lead to physical fitness.
3. Exercise only includes organized activities.
A. False
B. True
4. Which is not a benefit of being active?
A. More calories are burned.
B. Lungs get stronger.
C. Heart gets stronger.
D. Metabolic rate decreases.
5. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins.
A. False
B. True
6. Which is not a component of physical fitness?
A. muscular endurance
B. cardio respiratory endurance
C. muscular strength
D. lack of flexibility
7. All sports are team-oriented.
A. True
B. False
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Describe modern conveniences that have made people lazy.
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