This document defines and provides examples of the 12 components of fitness: agility, balance, cardio-vascular endurance, co-ordination, flexibility, muscular endurance, power, reaction time, speed, strength, static balance, and dynamic balance. It categorizes them as either health-related components (cardio-vascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, body type) or sport-related components (agility, speed, reaction time, balance, co-ordination, power) and provides definitions and examples for each component. Students are assigned homework to provide additional sport-specific examples of the components and analyze the most important components for different athletes.

1. 5.3: Components Of Fitness
Agility
Muscular
Endurance
Balance
Co-Ordination
Cardio-Vascular Endurance
Flexibility
Reaction Time
Strength
Power
Speed

2. Health Related Components
Health Related Components
Of Fitness
Of Fitness
Cardio-Vascular Endurance
Muscular Endurance
Strength
Flexibility
Body Type

3. Sport Related Components
Sport Related Components
Of Fitness
Of Fitness
Agility
Speed
Reaction Time
Balance (Static and Dynamic)
Co-ordination
Power

4. Health Related Components
Health Related Components
Of Fitness
Of Fitness
The Definitions

5. Cardio-Vascular Endurance
Cardio-Vascular Endurance
 The ability of the
heart and lungs to
provide energy for
the working
muscles over a
period of time.
 For example,
completing a long
distance race.

6. Muscular Endurance
Muscular Endurance
 The ability of a
muscle or muscle
group to work
repeatedly over a
period of time.
 For example,
competing a rowing
race.

7. Strength
Strength
 The ability of a
muscle or muscle
group to apply a
force to overcome
a resistance. This
can be static or
dynamic.
 For example, lifting
a heavy weight.

8. Flexibility
Flexibility
 The range of
movement around a
joint.
 For example, doing
the splits in
gymnastics.

9. Body Type
Body Type
 There are 3 body types:
endomorph (prop),
mesomorph (swimmer)
and ectomorph (high
jumper). Body type is
made up of body size
and composition.
 For example, jockeys
and darts players can
have very different
body types and both be
successful.

10. Sport Related Components
Sport Related Components
Of Fitness
Of Fitness
The Definitions

11. Agility
Agility
 The ability to
change direction at
pace.
 For example,
goalkeeper diving
to save a shot.

12. Speed
Speed
 The ability to
perform a
movement quickly.
 For example, 100m
sprint.

13. Reaction Time
Reaction Time
 The ability to
respond quickly to
stimuli.
 For example,
reacting to the gun
at the start of a
race.

14. Static Balance
Static Balance
 The ability to
maintain equilibrium
while still.
 For example, a
handstand in
gymnastics.

15. Dynamic Balance
Dynamic Balance
 The ability to
maintain equilibrium
while moving.
 For example,
dribbling a football
at speed.

16. Co-ordination
Co-ordination
 The ability to use
senses and body
parts to perform
motor skills
fluently and
accurately.
 For example,
catching the ball in
a lineout.

17. Power
Power
 Speed times
strength.
 For example,
hitting an ice
hockey puck.

18. Homework: To Be Completed By Next
Homework: To Be Completed By Next
Lesson
Lesson
 1. Give a specific example of each of the
components of fitness from a sport of your
choice. (Different to those already given)
 2. Describe the components of fitness most
important for the following sportsmen and
explain why:
 a. A prop in rugby.
 b. a goal-keeper in soccer
 c. an Olympic gymnast
 d. a 100m runner.
 e. a downhill skier