Physical fitness facts for kids

Physical fitness is generally achieved through exercise. This photo shows Rich Froning Jr. – a four-time winner of the "Fittest Man on Earth" title.

A woman performs a plank exercise to strengthen her muscles.

Swimmers perform squats before getting into the pool at a U.S. military base in 2011.

Physical fitness means being able to do daily activities easily and having enough energy for fun things too! It's about how strong, fast, and healthy your body is. Being physically fit helps you feel good, stay healthy, and do well in sports or other activities.

There are two main types of physical fitness:

• General fitness is about your overall health and well-being. It means your body systems are working well.
• Specific fitness is about being good at certain sports or jobs. For example, a soldier or firefighter needs specific fitness to do their important work.

What Makes You Physically Fit?

Being physically fit involves several important parts that help your body work its best. These are often called "health-related components" because they show how well your body's systems are working.

Body Composition

This is about what your body is made of. It looks at the amount of body fat you have compared to your lean body mass. Lean body mass includes your muscle, bone, and water. Having a healthy body composition means you have a good balance of these parts.

Cardiovascular Fitness

This is how well your heart and blood vessels (your circulatory system) can deliver oxygen to your muscles when you are active. When you run or play, your muscles need oxygen. Good cardiovascular fitness means your heart and lungs can supply that oxygen efficiently, so you don't get tired too quickly.

Flexibility

Flexibility is how much you can move your joints. Think about how far you can stretch your arms or bend your back. Being flexible helps you move freely, prevents injuries, and can make daily tasks easier.

To be truly physically fit, a good fitness plan should include activities that help with all these areas!

Ancient Heroes of Fitness

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  Heracles, the greatest hero of Greek mythology, was known for his incredible strength. This statue is in Naples.

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  Discus throwing was one of the original sports in the Ancient Greek Olympic Games. This famous statue is in Copenhagen.

Long ago, in ancient times, people also valued physical fitness. Heroes like Heracles from Greek myths were famous for their strength and athletic abilities. The Olympic Games in Ancient Greece celebrated fitness through sports like discus throwing, showing how important physical strength and skill were to them.

Related Activities

Images for kids

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  Playing sports like lawn tennis is a common way to stay physically fit. This image shows international tennis player Barbora Strycova.

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  Ladies performing a common 19th-century fitness routine, including climbing the underside of a ladder, balancing, and gymnastics.

See also

In Spanish: Fitness para niños