Being a Health and Fitness Professional, it is my job to understand terms and definitions which are commonplace to this industry, as well to keep abreast of evolving trends. Through my experience, I have found that a number of terms deserve a little more clarification than that which they are granted.Aside from clarifying the definition of Health Related Fitness, this article intends to shed some light on a few of the associated terms, and to show their respective distinctions.Is it simply all in a name?The fitness world seems to use the concept Health Related Fitness like a generic fitness principle – interchangeable with others like “Physical Fitness”, “Health and Fitness” or simply “Fitness.”While all of these terms can be included under the broad term Health and Physical Fitness, they individually refer to different aspects – both generic and specific. Unfortunately, references to these and other fitness-related terms are often vague, while consistency in their intended use is meager at best; there is a kind of “generally accepted” use for them, but individuals often rely on own interpretation, and this can lead to confusion.With that said, does Health Related Fitness simply infer fitness by means of good health? Not quite. That is why we need to understand a little more behind these words before digesting the definition.How did the term Health Related Physical Fitness come about?That is a good question. One could probably ask what is this concept all about – can we not simply use the terms “Fitness” or “Physical Fitness” instead?” Why Health “Related”?The main reason stems from the fact that most health and fitness terms are used inconsistently and often refer to different concepts or notions. Subsequent to the 1996 report from the US Surgeon General (Physical Activity and Health; a report of the Surgeon General), there was a move to try and address the alarming rise in obesity levels among the general American public. Studies and initiatives required standardization among clinicians, health practitioners and fitness trainers to grapple with the task at hand. Enter “Health Related Physical Fitness”, a working term to address the general state of health among the public.The definition of Health Related FitnessAccording to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the main authority in this field, ineffective definitions with unclear and subjective wordings, as well as definitions containing terms which themselves require defining, have contributed to confusing the term “Physical Fitness.”There exists no reliable guide for Health and Fitness Professionals to measure “Physical Fitness”, because the term has been so loosely and inconsistently defined. It is therefore that one should consider the concept of Health Related Fitness. The definition therefore centers on the 5 Components of Physical Fitness which relate to “good health.” These Components are:

Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Body Composition
Flexibility
Muscular Strength
Muscular Endurance
On the other hand, Skill Related Fitness Components are:

Balance
Reaction Time
Coordination
Agility
Speed
Power
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the definition of Physical Fitness emphasizes the difference between Health Related Physical Fitness and Athletic Ability Physical Fitness. Its point-of-departure is the “health” of the US nation, which is often referred to as the “public health perspective.” In that respect, the 5 Health Related Fitness Components are more important than those related to Athletic Ability (or Skill Related Components).Although the concept of Health Related Fitness has an integral association with “good health”, the 5 Components are addressed individually by health professionals to allow for their measurement.Now that we have a deeper understanding of the term, what purpose does it serve?Continuing from where the definition left off, the objective of measuring the 5 Components is to advise clients about their own particular Health Related Fitness, and to use data obtained from the tests to design appropriate exercise programs which can then be evaluated.The 5 Components contribute evenly to make up a holistic Health Related Fitness, which is of direct interest to the health of the ordinary citizen, in that the concept is normative. In other words, it is a standard which allows for consistent application.It is therefore important for those working in the health and fitness industry not to mistake “overall physical fitness” with “Health Related Physical fitness.”To conclude, let us consider this distinction between Physical Fitness and Health Related FitnessOne needs to bear in mind that regular physical exercise can improve overall Physical Fitness, as well as Health Related Fitness. However, overall fitness is a generic term and is up to subjective interpretation, while Health Related Fitness can be assessed.The distinction therefore, between these two terms, exists in that Health Related Physical Fitness can be measured according to a set of established comparative norms.This is where the “rubber hits the road.” The guidelines set out by the ACSM enable health professionals to work with clients to assess and measure their response to exercise and prescribe appropriate exercise programs. A client’s progress can then be monitored and adjusted where necessary in order to obtain the desired fitness goals.

Nutrition is extremely important to a healthy body for the duration of our lives, but it becomes even more essential as we age. Many of the poor foods we were able to digest as young people become problematic the older we get. Also, the need to keep our immune system strong and our health in balance becomes more necessary as we become more vulnerable to disease the older we get. Anti aging nutrition is a process of getting the foods we need to stay healthy as we age.Anti aging nutrition is really about a total healthy lifestyle. Certain supplements and foods help to reduce stress, as does exercise. Stress creates free radicals, which attack the body and sets the stage for disease development. Weight control, as well as drinking plenty of clean, pure water everyday are also essential to overall health.Nutrition and AgingAging is a natural process that cannot be avoided, but can certainly be slowed. As the body ages, it becomes more and more difficult for it to absorb certain nutrients from foods. Thus, it is ever more important to eat nutrient rich foods. In the younger years, good nutrition creates optimum conditions for the body to grow, and the benefits of a nutritious diet fed to children will last throughout their lives in their ability to combat disease. There is never a time of life when good nutrition does not matter.Foods for Anti Aging NutritionPart of the problem with the so-called Standard American Diet is that much of the food is acidic in nature. Coffee, soft drinks, sugar, added flavor, preserved meat and artificial sweeteners are so prevalent as to be almost unavoidable. However, these foods create high levels of acid in the body, and must be balanced with more alkaline fare. Green, leafy vegetables, like sprouts, cabbage and parsley, all produce alkali. Raw nuts, whole grains, spinach broccoli, tomatoes, berries, oranges and other citrus fruits, apples, lettuce and onions are all beneficial foods for anti aging nutrition.Supplements for Anti Aging NutritionOmega 3 fatty acids, often added to foods, are a necessary part of any diet. Flax seed oil, especially from raw flax seed ground up in a coffee grinder, is an excellent part of any diet. The family of B vitamins is an important stress reducer, and should be taken daily. Garlic supplements, or raw garlic, is a powerful immune system booster that will help prevent sickness that can interfere with absorption of nutrients from food. A daily multi-vitamin is also important for anti aging nutrition.The Need for Stress ReductionStress is a very common condition in modern life, and it is one of the most destructive forces at work against good health. Stress slows digestion, and impairs nutrient absorption. Stress also creates free radicals, which attack the body’s proteins and impair cellular functions. Stress similarly weakens the immune system, making the body vulnerable to disease and toxins.In order to get the most out of the food we eat, me must also reduce or eliminate stress in our lives. This is best done by getting plenty of physical exercise. Exercise allows a great deal of stress release, while also helping to balance our body weights to a proper level. The combined benefit, along with a lot of nutrient rich food, leads to a state of optimum health which slows the ravages of aging and allows us to age comfortably and gracefully.Anti aging nutrition could also be called ‘whole life nutrition’, since there is never a time in life when good nutrition does not matter. A nutrient rich diet will create more energy in the body, as toxins are released and digestion improves. Proper weight levels will also be achieved, and make it easier to exercise which in turn reduces stress, which in turn makes it easier to absorb nutrients from the food. It is a complete, holistic cycle. Anti aging nutrition is an important step in feeling great everyday and avoiding disease and other effects of aging.