August/September 2024 | Page 18

Health & Wellness

FITNESS AND EXERCISE :

Why You Should Take Your Physical Activity To The Next Level

The term “ fitness ” is often used to describe physical activity , but the meaning of the word extends far beyond just being active . While physical activity can relate to any type of movement that burns calories , fitness is a little more nuanced than that , a little more focused .

Fitness holistically refers to the condition of being physically healthy and strong , which is achieved through regular physical activity and exercise . Specifically , fitness measures attributes like endurance , strength , flexibility , and body composition and typically involves structured , planned , and repetitive activities aimed at improving physical health and performance . Physical activity , on the other hand , can be unstructured and performed as part of daily routines without specific fitness goals . Engaging in physical activity is good , but working to achieve fitness is better .
There are different types of fitness . One is aerobic fitness , which works to increase endurance , heart health , muscle strength , and coordination . Another is cardiorespiratory fitness , which is built up by more strenuous activities like rapid walking . Rapid walking and other cardiorespiratory and aerobic exercises are especially connected to improving certain cognitive abilities , like fluid intelligence and cognitive flexibility .
Fluid intelligence is the ability to learn and retain new information , and studies have shown that fit people exhibit a clear advantage in this area . Additionally , targeted aerobic fitness is known to protect your ability to plan , to filter out distractions , and to hasten your information processing .
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