How to understand the definition of Health Related Fitness

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Being a Health and Fitness Professional, it is my job to understand terms and definitions which are commonplace to this industry, as well as keeping abreast of evolving trends.

"Health Related Fitness" is one of those terms which is seemingly not well-understood, yet widely used.

I trust this eHow article will shed some light on the topic to those interested.

Step 1
How did the term Health Related Fitness come about?

Good question. One would probably ask "what is this concept all about – can’t we simply use the terms "fitness" or "physical fitness" instead?"

Why Health "Related"?
The main reason is because most health and fitness terms are used inconsistently and often refer to different aspects or notions. Subsequent to the 1996 report from the US Surgeon General (Physical Activity and Health; a report of the Surgeon General), there was a move to try and address the alarming rise in obesity levels among the general public. Studies and initiatives required standardization among clinicians health practitioners and fitness trainers to grapple with the task at hand. Enter "Health Related Physical Fitness."

Step 2
The definition of Health Related Fitness
According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), ineffective definitions with unclear and subjective wordings, as well as definitions containing terms which themselves require defining, have contributed to confusing the term "physical fitness."

There exists no reliable guide for Health and Fitness Professionals to measure "Physical Fitness", because the term has been so looslely and inconsistently defined. It is therefore that one should consider the concept of Health Related Fitness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the definition of Physical Fitness emphasises the difference between health-related physical fitness and athletic ability Physical Fitness. Its point-of-departure is the health of the US nation, which is often referred to as the "public health perspective."

In that respect, the 5 health-related fitness components are more important than those related to athletic ability (or skill related components).

The definition of Health Related Fitness also shows this concept's integral association with "good health." However, the 5 Components are addressed individually by health professionals to allow for their measurement.

Step 3
Now that we understand what the term means, what purpose does it serve?

Continuing from where the definition left off, the objective of measuring the Health Related Fitness Components is to advise clients about their own health related fitness, and to use data obtained from the tests to design appropriate exercise programs which can then be evaluated.

The 5 Components contribute evenly to make up a holistic Health Related Physical Fitness. Health Related Physical Fitness is of direct interest to the health of the ordinary citizen, in that the concept is normative. In other words it is a standard which allows for consistent application.

It is therefore important for those working in the health and fitness industry not to mistake "overall physical fitness" with "health related physical fitness."

Step 4
At last, a distinction between Physical Fitness and Health Related Fitness.

One needs to consider briefly that regular physical exercise can improve overall Physical Fitness as well as Health Related Fitness. However, overall fitness is a generic term and is up to subjective interpretation, while Health Related Fitness can be assessed.

The distinction therefore, between the 2 terms, exists in that Health Related Physical Fitness can be measured according to a set of established comparative norms.

By Cleto Tirabassi