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Definition of Physical FitnessWhen it comes to the definition of physical fitness, there are various descriptions used, most of which are too vague.
But what is “good physical condition"? What is considered good to one person may not be acceptable to another. 
The most common definition of fitness used by health professionals targets one particular component of fitness: cardiovascular. The volume of oxygen you can consume while exercising at maximum intensity (VO2 Max as it is often referred) is a common indicator. But what about the other components of fitness like muscular strength, flexibility, balance, and body composition? Are they any less important? What if someone has a high VO2 Max but still lacks the strength necessary to pick up a box of books and carry it up a couple flights of stairs. Can they really be considered physically fit?A general, yet more practical definition of fitness is having enough energy to complete your daily tasks while still having energy left over for leisure time pursuits or to meet any emergency demands. This definition does have its limits though, as your desired fitness level would vary based on your daily energy requirements and leisure pursuits. Clearly, if you have a desk job and your leisure pursuit is a stroll around the park, the fitness level required is much different than for someone who works physically hard and/or wants to play competitive tennis. Although you will find the words Health and Fitness used somewhat interchangeably here, in my mind, to be truly healthy one must maintain at least a moderate level of fitness. This is confirmed in a landmark study, Changes in Physical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality conducted by Steven Blair at the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas. The study involved over 25,000 men who were examined at Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s Clinic from 1970 to 1989 and tracked from their examination to their death or until December 31, 1989. The physical exam measured their height, weight and cardiovascular fitness via a maximal exercise test on a treadmill. The men in the study who raised their fitness level from low to moderate cut their mortality rate in half, compared with those who stayed unfit. Those who improved from moderate to high fitness decreased their mortality rate by 12% to 15%. While delaying mortality is well and good, I do not know many people who would choose to live longer if they could not do so independently. With this in mind, the program presented here is designed to increase your functional capacity, not just help you live longer. After all, life should be lived with vitality and filled with purpose, not merely endured.
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