Physical exercise may be used by physical therapists when dealing with either healthy individuals or with a variety of conditions. Physical therapists can be trained for aerobic exercise for people of all ages.
How does the Physical Therapist define FITNESS? Fitness is a general term used to describe physical work capacity. Cardiorespiratory control, muscle strength, and endurance, and musculoskeletal mobility are required to perform physical work. Also included in the definition of fitness is optimal body composition.
In order to become physically fit, individuals must participate regularly in some form of physical activity that uses large muscle groups and challenges the cardio-respiratory system. Individuals of all ages can improve their overall fitness status by participating in activities such as walking, biking, running, swimming, climbing the stairs, cross-country skiing and/or weight training.
Fitness levels can be described on a continuum from poor to higher based on energy expenditure during the physical work phase. These ratings are often based on direct or indirect measurements of the body's maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max). Oxygen consumption is influenced by age, gender, inheritance, inactivity, and disease.
What is Endurance?
Endurance is a measure of fitness and the ability to work over long periods of time and the ability to withstand fatigue. This requires muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance. Muscular endurance refers to the ability of an individual muscle group to perform repeated contractions over a period of time, whereas cardiovascular endurance refers to the ability to perform a large muscle dynamometer.
What is Aerobic Exercise and how it is helpful for the individual?
Aerobic exercise training, or conditioning, is an increase in the energy production of the body by means of an exercise program. Improving the capacity of the body to use energy is a direct result of increased levels of the oxidative enzyme in the muscles, increased density and volume of the mitochondrial muscle and increased supply of capillary fiber.
Aerobic Exercise Education often relies on the exercise of appropriate duration, strength and time. Training induces cardiovascular and/or muscular adaptation and is expressed in the endurance of the person.
Specificity principle:
Training for a particular sport or event relies on the principle of specificity, that is to say, the individual improves the exercise task used for training and may not improve in other tasks. For example, swimming may enhance one's performance in swimming events, but may not improve one's performance in running a treadmill.
