Components Of Fitness (Skill Related Fitness)

The word "Fitness" is often misunderstood and confused, especially in today's society of social media and the word "Fit" being used to describe somebody who looks good.

Fitness by its definition is split into 2 major categories "Health Related Fitness" & "Skill Related Fitness" with both categories containing a number of components.

On this page we discuss Skill Related Fitness, to find out more information on "Health Related Fitness" read our previous post here >> Health Related Fitness

Skill Related Fitness

Speed

Speed is the ability to generate maximal velocity for any given movement, This could moving the body from A - B or how fast a boxer can throw a punch. This skill is very important in many sports and activities.

Quickness

Quickness is the ability to react and respond rapidly to a random stimulus at any given moment, for example - how quickly a person can move out of the way of an oncoming object or change direction to chase a ball. Quickness refers to the ability of the Brain to react aswells the body.

Agility

Agility is the ability to change direction and speed of movement quickly and efficiently in a coordinated fashion, without losing balance. This skill is extremely important in competitive sports for example football and basketball but less important in weight lifting and sprinting.

Balance

Balance is all about not falling over! This skill can be static or dynamic and is best displayed in sports such as gymnastics and dance although it is also important skill in other sports and becomes vital to be able to maintain good balance as people start to age.

Coordination

Coordinated movements are more effective and will consequently improve performance. The ability to use different senses and parts of the body in co-ordinated fashion is best achieved through repetitive practice of good technique. All sports require good co-ordination with some placing a higher demand on "hand-eye" co-ordination or "hand-foot" coordination.

Power

Power is generated by performing movements that require explosive muscular strength. Power is sometimes known as speed times strength (speed x strength) and is vital in some sports. In some sports for example the take of phase of a high jump or the power of a kick of a football. Power is also one of the most rapidly declining components of fitness due to old age.