Minor Components of Physical Fitness

By Bob Cotto

There are five components of physical fitness, muscular strength and

endurance, cardiovascular strength, flexibility and body composition. There
are however also minor components of physical fitness that are just as
important to training and improving your health and wellness. These minor
components of physical fitness include balance, coordination, agility and
reaction time. Most sports require athletes to be fit in each of these
components, to play at a competitive level. In fact, without these minor
components of physical fitness you may find that you are more prone to
injury and your performance is substandard.

Balance is important to most sports that require you are off your feet and on
an animal or wheels. However, balance isn’t to be overlooked in sports that
require a significant amount of lateral movement such as basketball or
tennis. Good balance will keep you upright and safe in many different
situations when you are wheels or your feet. There are specific ways of
increasing your balance for each sport. In cycling you can improve your
balance by using rollers. On roller blades you can improve your balance by
attempting an increased challenge level trail. Using an exercise ball to
improve core muscle strength and a trampoline can also help to improve
balance.

The second minor component of physical fitness is coordination. This is an

extension of balance but is in fact the ability of muscles to function in
harmony in motion. This harmony can only be achieved if the equipment
being used is properly adjusted and fit to your body. If the blades on your
skates aren’t smooth your coordination and balance will be affected. If your
bike is too tall or too small your muscles won’t work in harmony.

Many athletes require agility for their sport. This minor component of
physical fitness often means the difference between winning and losing.
Agility can be both mental and physical. Moving through a strong basketball
defensive line requires the ability to see the scene, pick the correct route and
move. These are split second decisions that the athlete may not even recall
making. But they are important.

The final minor component of physical fitness is reaction time. This is the
ability to respond to a stimulus quickly and appropriately. When you adjust
your steering on your bike, spin quickly to the left to avoid a defender on the
basketball court or adjust your speed and direction while running on the
football field you are using your reaction time. This requires your brain to
register that there is an obstacle in your path, send a message to the correct
muscles and for the muscles to contract correctly and in the right order.
Sports such as biking, basketball, kayaking, soccer and skating incorporate
both of the five major components of physical fitness and the minor
components of physical fitness.

Author:
Bob Cotto has spent most of his adult life as a Sr. Sales & Marketing
executive. Two years ago he and his wife of 43 years were told that
she had 4th stage cancer that had spread to her lungs, bones, and
lymphatic system. Since then, Bob and Joanne have devoted all of
their energy to assisting her in maintaining a high quality of life. Their
efforts have convinced them that the combination of Western and
Eastern medicine practices offered her and most people with illnesses
the best chance of controlling their disease and maintaining a high
quality of life. Find out more about his efforts at his site 4-Ideal-Health
or visit Bob Cotto's Blog.