Fitness Explained
Fitness
Fitness is often a very confusing topic that is poorly understood by most. But truthfully there is no surprise there, as very few have taken the time and effort to break down the main concepts into a logical approach.
Fitness is most often associated with exercise, working out, and sport. But please recognize that this only refers to PHYSICAL fitness. Psychological fitness is just as important when preparing for maximal performance.
Why is fitness important?
If you have been following my content, I am confident that you have a clear understanding of the fact that physical performance enhancement includes both physical AND psychological preparation and restoration.
Improving fitness, both physical and psychological, is among the most effective approaches addressing the ‘preparation’ aspect of performance enhancement. Preparing for maximal performance through fitness involves optimizing the balance between movement quality, strength, endurance, and speed.
You will soon realize that the concepts of fitness translate directly to all facets of life. But in our case, we will focus primarily on the aspects of fitness that translate most to physical performance.
Movement Quality
Movement quality includes pain free flexibility, mobility, stability, motor control, and technique.
Essentially, it is the skill and ability to perform a movement or activity “correctly.”
In practical terms:
If you are not able to, or know how to do a movement or activity correctly, safely, efficiently, and pain free, or you simply cannot do it all together, than you must recognize that movement quality is likely disrupting your overall fitness.
Strength
Strength includes your ability to overcome difficult, or ‘heavy,’ obstacles.
By improving your strength, you will be capable of handling larger loads and stress with greater ease.
In practical terms:
If you are able to perform a movement, exercise, or activity with sufficient movement quality, but it remains difficult to perform for short to moderate periods of time, than you must recognize that strength is likely disrupting your overall fitness.
Endurance
Endurance includes your ability to perform an activity for extended periods of time without being limited by fatigue.
In practical terms
If you are able to perform a movement, exercise, or activity for short to moderate periods of time and with sufficient movement quality, but it remains difficult to perform for prolonged periods of time, than you must recognize that endurance is likely disrupting your overall fitness.
Speed
Speed represents the rate at which you are capable of completing an activity within a given time frame.
By improving your speed, you will be able to complete a greater amount of activity within a set time, or complete the same amount of activity within less time.
In practical terms
If you are able to perform a movement, exercise, or activity for short, moderate, or long periods of time and with sufficient movement quality, but you aren’t getting enough of that movement, exercise, or activity done within a given time, than you must recognize that speed is likely disrupting your overall fitness.
Summary
When preparing for maximal performance, you must first learn HOW to perform the activity with optimal skill and technique (movement quality). As soon as this is accomplished, you may focus on improving the ease with which you perform that activity (strength), as well as the length of time you are able to continue performing that activity without limitation or fatigue (endurance). Finally, a high performer will work on developing the ability to accomplish enormous feats with that activity within a set period of time (speed).
Dr. Eugene Ketselman PT, DPT, Cert. MDT, CSCS
Dr. Eugene Ketselman is a licensed Physical Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Performance Coach, and owner of Convergent Movement and Performance; Home of where Physical Therapy, fitness, and performance training converge! Dr. Ketselman's mission is to help motivated athletes and active adults excel in their passions by maximizing physical performance and reducing setbacks from pain and injury.
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