| Most people understand that it is important to be | | | | up more calories and stores less of them as fat. |
| physically fit and keep their bodies in shape. However, | | | | Lower body fat is also associated with a longer |
| it is unfortunate that very few people understand this. | | | | lifespan, and this is not the only way that physical |
| In fact, physical fitness can greatly improve an | | | | fitness can improve longevity. |
| individual's quality of life in many different ways. | | | | Improving aerobic fitness through physical activity is a |
| First, it is important to understand exactly what the | | | | wonderful way to help protect both heart and lung |
| phrase "physical fitness" means. Contrary to what | | | | health. In fact, people who participate in a physical |
| many might think, exercising is not enough to truly be | | | | fitness program are less likely to fall victim to heart |
| physically fit. Instead, fitness is much more | | | | disease or other common, and often serious, health |
| comprehensive. It refers to a person's overall strength, | | | | complications. With heart attacks among the top |
| flexibility, aerobic ability, and ability to endure. While | | | | causes of death in the United States, keeping one's |
| exercise plays a key role in improving each of these, | | | | heart in top condition is vitally important. Meanwhile, |
| other factors, like not smoking, are also essential to | | | | physical fitness also improves lung function and can |
| optimal physical fitness. | | | | reduce the discomfort associated with common |
| One benefit of physical fitness is that it results in strong | | | | respiratory diseases like Asthma, which can also lead |
| bones. Strength training, mostly by building muscle, is | | | | to other health complications. |
| also responsible for improving and maintaining bone | | | | Ultimately, physical fitness can improve almost every |
| density over time. In fact, physical fitness is directly | | | | aspect of a person's daily life. Endurance means |
| associated with a decreased risk for osteoporosis, | | | | working is easier and walking is more pleasurable. |
| especially in women. Additionally, being physically strong | | | | Meanwhile, aerobic ability makes breathing easier and |
| makes daily tasks easier and guards joints against | | | | can particularly help an individual who likes to swim, |
| major injuries. | | | | hike, or participate in other cardiovascular activites. |
| Physical fitness also makes it easier to lose weight. | | | | Overall, physical fitness is vitally important as it can help |
| When a person is in shape, he or she typically has | | | | someone do everything from carry groceries to play |
| increased muscle mass. Since muscle burns more | | | | with their kids to climb a mountain. |
| calories than fat, this means an individual's body uses | | | | |