| There are five components of physical fitness, | | | | motion. This harmony can only be achieved if the |
| muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular | | | | equipment being used is properly adjusted and fit to |
| strength, flexibility and body composition. There are | | | | your body. If the blades on your skates aren't smooth |
| however also minor components of physical fitness | | | | your coordination and balance will be affected. If your |
| that are just as important to training and improving your | | | | bike is too tall or too small your muscles won't work in |
| health and wellness. These minor components of | | | | harmony. |
| physical fitness include balance, coordination, agility and | | | | Many athletes require agility for their sport. This minor |
| reaction time. Most sports require athletes to be fit in | | | | component of physical fitness often means the |
| each of these components, to play at a competitive | | | | difference between winning and losing. Agility can be |
| level. In fact, without these minor components of | | | | both mental and physical. Moving through a strong |
| physical fitness you may find that you are more prone | | | | basketball defensive line requires the ability to see the |
| to injury and your performance is substandard. | | | | scene, pick the correct route and move. These are |
| Balance is important to most sports that require you | | | | split second decisions that the athlete may not even |
| are off your feet and on an animal or wheels. | | | | recall making. But they are important. |
| However, balance isn't to be overlooked in sports that | | | | The final minor component of physical fitness is |
| require a significant amount of lateral movement such | | | | reaction time. This is the ability to respond to a stimulus |
| as basketball or tennis. Good balance will keep you | | | | quickly and appropriately. When you adjust your |
| upright and safe in many different situations when you | | | | steering on your bike, spin quickly to the left to avoid a |
| are wheels or your feet. There are specific ways of | | | | defender on the basketball court or adjust your speed |
| increasing your balance for each sport. In cycling you | | | | and direction while running on the football field you are |
| can improve your balance by using rollers. On roller | | | | using your reaction time. This requires your brain to |
| blades you can improve your balance by attempting | | | | register that there is an obstacle in your path, send a |
| an increased challenge level trail. Using an exercise ball | | | | message to the correct muscles and for the muscles |
| to improve core muscle strength and a trampoline can | | | | to contract correctly and in the right order. |
| also help to improve balance. | | | | Sports such as biking, basketball, kayaking, soccer and |
| The second minor component of physical fitness is | | | | skating incorporate both of the five major components |
| coordination. This is an extension of balance but is in | | | | of physical fitness and the minor components of |
| fact the ability of muscles to function in harmony in | | | | physical fitness. |