HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE FIT?

 

Ever consider taking a fitness assessment as a step towards improving your performance?

People may have asked you what you have done to make yourself look so fit, or you may have asked yourself whether you are fit enough or not. 

But what exactly does being fit mean? Does being fit differ from person to person? 

This is an interesting topic that many people do not completely understand.

When we talk about fitness, we are referring to physical fitness. Some people may look in good shape and strong but in reality, they may not be fit. Fitness is the state where the body is prepared and ready to participate in age-appropriate activities, sports or exercise.

 

How do you know if you are ‘fit’?

 

Being fit covers physical, mental and emotional fitness. Physical fitness is composed of the following factors:

1. Body composition: This means having a body weight that is proportionate to your height. There are many people who have a good figure but are not fit. This is determined by calculating the BMI (Body Mass Index):

 

Men

Less than 19: Underweight

19-24.9: Normal

25-29.9: Overweight    

More than 30: Obese    

 

Women

Less than 18: Underweight

18-23.9: Normal

24-29.9: Overweight

More than 30: Obese

 

The BMI is used as a standard for recording obesity in men and women aged 18 years and above. It is calculated by dividing the weight (in kilograms) by the square of the height (in metres).

2. Muscular strength: Strong muscles provide good agility and balance, allowing people to perform daily routines better.

3. Flexibility: Flexibility of muscles and ligaments protects the muscle and joints from exercise-related injuries. Those who exercise less have less flexibility, with stiffer muscles that are more prone to injuries. 

 

Heart fitness

Cardio-respiratory endurance deals with the efficiency of the heart in transporting oxygen-rich blood to other parts of the body during exercise. Those who are fit can work and exercise without feeling tired.

Fitness is not measured by how much weight you can lift or how fast or far you can run. Instead, it is measured by how ready your body is, how healthy you are and whether you can perform everyday tasks such as climbing a flight of stairs without feeling tired or pausing to take a rest. 

Are you able to run around with your friends? Are you able to bend and pick up objects without causing any injury to yourself? 

If you are physically ready, then increasing and improving efficiency in various sports will enhance your sports and exercise performance.

 

 Assistant Prof Pasakorn Watantada, MD, is a sports medicine and human motion analysis specialist at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.