Components of fitness · GCSE PE

The components of fitness

Cardiovascular endurance (aerobic power): the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the working muscles, such as in a marathon.
Muscular endurance: the ability of a muscle or group of muscles to undergo repeated contractions without tiring, such as a rower.
Strength: the ability to overcome a resistance. It can be maximal (a heavy lift), static (holding a scrum), dynamic (repeated) or explosive.
Speed: the maximum rate at which a person can move over a distance, such as a 100 m sprinter.
Flexibility: the range of movement possible at a joint, such as a gymnast doing the splits.

Agility: the ability to move and change direction quickly, at speed, while keeping control, such as a rugby winger sidestepping.
Balance: keeping the centre of mass over a base of support. It can be static (a handstand) or dynamic (a cartwheel).
Coordination: using two or more body parts together smoothly, such as hand-eye coordination in tennis.
Power (explosive strength): speed × strength, such as a long jump take-off.
Reaction time: the time taken to respond to a stimulus, such as a sprinter leaving the blocks.

Explain why a component matters with a specific example: a goalkeeper needs quick reaction time to save a penalty.
Most sports need several components: a basketball player needs agility, power for jumping and coordination for shooting.

Cardiovascular endurance: The ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the working muscles.
Muscular endurance: The ability of muscles to keep contracting repeatedly without tiring.
Agility: The ability to change direction quickly while keeping control.
Power: Speed multiplied by strength.
Reaction time: The time taken to respond to a stimulus.
Flexibility: The range of movement possible at a joint.
Balance: Keeping the centre of mass over the base of support.
Coordination: Using two or more body parts together smoothly.