What is it about?
Fitness is a concept that revolves around achieving and maintaining optimal physical and mental health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and a balanced lifestyle. It encompasses various components such as cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition.
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Why is it important?
Fitness is important for several reasons: Physical Health: Regular exercise and physical activity improve cardiovascular function, strengthen muscles and bones, enhance flexibility, and promote overall physical well-being. Engaging in fitness activities can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer. Mental Health: Fitness has a significant impact on mental well-being. Exercise releases endorphins, which are known as "feel-good" hormones, promoting feelings of happiness, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Regular physical activity can improve cognitive function, boost self-esteem, enhance sleep quality, and increase overall mental resilience. Longevity and Quality of Life: Maintaining fitness levels can contribute to a longer and healthier lifespan. Being physically fit increases functional independence, allowing individuals to perform daily activities with ease and reducing the risk of injuries and falls. It also enables people to engage in recreational activities, sports, and hobbies, enhancing their overall quality of life.
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This page is a summary of: What Is Fitness?, April 2015, Princeton University Press,
DOI: 10.23943/princeton/9780691161563.003.0009.
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