Module 1: Concept of Fitness and Wellness and their Significance in Modern Times

Objective
On completion of the topic, one should be able to understand;
 the definition of health and wellness and their different aspects
 the concept fitness and wellness
 the significance of fitness and wellness in modern times

INTRODUCTION
Fitness and wellness are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different
meanings. Fitness describes the physical and mental state of a person. It usually denotes lack
of diseases or abnormalities. Wellness, on the other hand, is defined as the overall process of
maintaining a general state of good health. Wellness involves conscious decisions on the part
of the individual, whereas health simply describes a person's condition. In modern usage,
however, the combined phrase "fitness and wellness" has become to mean the pursuit of
overall physical, mental, and emotional health. This term is used frequently in various
contexts, all aimed at promoting a better lifestyle.
DEFINITION OF FITNESS
Fitness is defined as the quality or state of being fit. Modern definition of fitness describes
either a person or machine's ability to perform a specific function or a holistic definition of
human adaptability to cope with various situations. This has led to an interrelation of human
fitness and attractiveness which has mobilized global fitness and fitness equipment industries.
Regarding specific function, fitness is attributed to person who possesses
significant aerobic or anaerobic ability, i.e. strength or endurance. A holistic definition of
fitness is described by Greg Glassman as an increased work capacity across broad times and
modal domains; mastery of several attributes of fitness including strength, endurance, power,
speed, balance and coordination and being able to improve the amount of work done in a
given time with any of these domains. 
DEFINITION OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Definition of health and wellness which is focused on different aspects of human
being are as follows:
1. Emotional health— A person with emotional health is-
(1) Free from emotional-mental illnesses or debilitating conditions such as clinical depression
and
(2) The one who possesses emotional wellness. The goals for the nation’s health refer to
mental rather than emotional health and wellness. Mental health and wellness are considered
to be the same as emotional health and wellness.

2. Emotional wellness—Emotional wellness is a person’s ability to cope with daily

circumstances and to deal with personal feelings in a positive, optimistic, and constructive
manner. A person with emotional wellness is generally characterized as happy, as opposed to
depressed.
3. Intellectual health— A person with intellectual health is the one who is free from illnesses
that invade the brain and other systems that allow learning. A person with intellectual health
also possesses intellectual wellness.
4. Intellectual wellness—Intellectual wellness is a person’s ability to learn and to use
information to enhance the quality of daily living and optimal functioning. A person with
intellectual wellness is generally characterized as informed, as opposed to ignorant.
5. Physical health— A person with physical health is the one who is free from illnesses that
affect the physiological systems of the body such as the heart, the nervous system, etc. A
person with physical health possesses an adequate level of physical fitness and physical
wellness.
6. Physical wellness—Physical wellness is a person’s ability to function effectively in
meeting the demands of the day’s work and to use frees time effectively. Physical wellness
includes good physical fitness and the possession of useful motor skills. A person with
physical wellness is generally characterized as fit versus unfit.
7. Social health— A person with social health is the one who is free from illnesses or
conditions that severely limit functioning in society, including antisocial pathologies.
8. Social wellness—Social wellness is a person’s ability to successfully interact with others
and to establish meaningful relationships that enhance the quality of life for all people
involved in the interaction. A person with social wellness is generally characterized as
involved as opposed to lonely.
9. Spiritual health—Spiritual health is the one component of health that is totally comprised
of the wellness dimension; for this reason, spiritual health is considered to be synonymous
with spiritual wellness.
10. Spiritual wellness— A person’s ability to establish a value system and act on the system
of beliefs, as well as to establish and carry out meaningful and constructive lifetime goals.
Spiritual wellness is often based on a belief in a force greater than the individual that helps
one contribute to an improved quality of life for all people. A person with spiritual wellness
is generally characterized as fulfilled as opposed to unfulfilled.
CONCEPT OF FITNESS
Before the industrial revolution, fitness was defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s
activities without undue fatigue. However, with automation and changes in lifestyles physical
fitness is now considered a measure of the body's ability to function efficiently and
effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist hypo-kinetic diseases, and to
meet emergency situations. Therefore, physical fitness has been defined as a set of attribute
or characteristics that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical
activity.
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts:
 General fitness (i.e. a state of health and well- being) and
 Specific fitness (i.e. a task-oriented definition based on the ability to perform specific
aspects of sports or occupations)

FACTS ABOUT PHYSICAL FITNESS
They are:
 Physical fitness is a multidimensional state of being.
 The health-related components of physical fitness are directly associated with good
health.
 The skill-related components of physical fitness are more associated with
performance than good health.
 Metabolic fitness is a non-performance component of total fitness.
 Bone integrity is often considered to be a non-performance measure of fitness.
  The many components of physical fitness are specific in nature, but are also inter-
related.
 Good physical fitness is important but it is not the same as physical health and
wellness.
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS
Staying active means keeping the body functioning at a high level. Regular exercises will
maintain the performance of the lungs and heart to most efficiently burn off excess calories
and keep the weight under control. Exercise will also improve muscle strength, increase joint
flexibility and improve endurance. Another main benefit of physical activity is that it
decreases the risk of heart diseases. Additionally, it can decrease the risk of stroke, colon
cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Regular exercise has been long associated with a
fewer visits to the doctor, hospitalization and medication.
Exercising does not have to be something boring and dreaded. It can be something that enjoy
and helps to increase the overall happiness in the life, as well as relieve symptoms of stress,
depression and anxiety. Try to find some activities that give pleasure or even a buddy to do
them with so that exercise is a fun and enjoyable activity.
CONCEPT OF WELLNESS
Wellness is the integration of many different components like mental, social, emotional, and
spiritual and physical that expands one's potential to live work effectively and to make a
significant contribution to society. Wellness reflects how one feels about life as well as one's
ability to function effectively. Wellness, as opposed to illness, is sometimes described as the
positive component of good health.
Physical wellness involves aspects of life that are necessary to keep oneself in top condition.
Optimal physical wellness is developed through the combination of beneficial physical
activity or exercise and healthy eating habits. Elemental components of physical wellness
include building muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular strength and endurance and
flexibility.
Physical wellness is also concerned with developing personal responsibility for own health
care, such as caring for minor illnesses and knowing when professional medical attention is
needed. Developing physical wellness empowers a person to monitor one’s own vital signs
and understand the body's warning signs. The physical benefits of looking good and feeling
terrific most often lead to the psychological benefits of enhanced self-esteem, self-control,
determination and a sense of direction.
THE ROUTE TO PHYSICAL WELLNESS
Understanding the relationship between the body’s physical health and mental health is
crucial in order to develop a balanced physical wellness. When a person take the route to
physical wellness he will learn to understand how the body performs physically and be able
to connect it to how he feel mentally. Physical wellness encourages principles of good health
and knowledge, which affect behaviour patterns that lead to a healthy lifestyle. Below are a
few suggestions for one to practice to maintain an optimal level of physical wellness.
 Engage in physical activity everyday for 30 minutes.
 Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator and walk whenever possible.
 Learn to recognize warning signs when the body begins to feeling ill.
 Eat a variety of healthy foods and control the meal portions.
 Maintain a regular sleep schedule and get between 7 – 9 hours of sleep each night.
 Practice safe sex.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FITNESS AND WELLNESS IN MODERN TIMES
The term "fitness and wellness" has become a powerful tool for marketers in various
industries. As people decide to change their habits and pursue healthier lifestyles, many
different companies stand to benefit. Health food retailers, manufacturers of exercise
equipment, and companies that produce vitamins or nutritional supplements could all see
increased demand for their products as a result of the fitness and wellness trend. On the other
hand, companies whose products or services are generally associated with poor health would
be negatively impacted by an increased public concern about health and wellness. Examples
include tobacco companies and fast food restaurants.
FACTS ABOUT FITNESS AND WELLNESS
They are:
 Good health is of primary importance to adults in our society.
 Health varies greatly with income, gender, age, and family origin.
 Increasing the span of healthy life is a principal health goal.
 Health is more than freedom from illness and disease.
 Many illnesses are manageable and have only limited effect on total health.
 Wellness is the positive component of optimal health.
 Health and wellness are multidimensional.
 Wellness reflects how one feels about life as well as one's ability to function
effectively.
 Health and wellness are integrated states of being.
 Health and wellness are individual in nature.
 It is possible to possess wellness while being ill or possessing a debilitating condition.
 Wellness is a useful term that may be used by quacks as well as experts.
CONCLUSION
Physical fitness is a general state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability
to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally
achieved through proper nutrition, moderate-vigorous physical exercise and sufficient rest.
Physical wellness promotes proper care of our bodies for optimal health and functioning.
Overall physical wellness encourages the balance of physical activity, nutrition and mental
well-being to keep the body in healthy.

FAQ
Q1. Write the facts about fitness and wellness.
Ans. The facts about fitness and wellness are:
1. Good health is of primary importance to adults in our society.
2. Health varies greatly with income, gender, age, and family origin.
3. Increasing the span of healthy life is a principal health goal.
4. Health is more than freedom from illness and disease.
5. Many illnesses are manageable and have only limited effect on total health.
6. Wellness is the positive component of optimal health.
7. Health and wellness are multidimensional.
8. Wellness reflects how one feels about life as well as one's ability to function
effectively.
9. Health and wellness are integrated states of being.
10. Health and wellness are individual in nature.
11. It is possible to possess wellness while being ill or possessing a debilitating
condition.
 12. Wellness is a useful term that may be used by quacks as well as experts.
Q2. What is the definition of fitness?
Ans. Fitness is defined as the quality or state of being fit. Modern definition of fitness
describes either a person or machine's ability to perform a specific function or a holistic
definition of human adaptability to cope with various situations. This has led to an
interrelation of human fitness and attractiveness which has mobilized global fitness and
fitness equipment industries.
Q3. What is Spiritual wellness?
Ans. A person’s ability to establish a value system and act on the system of beliefs as well as
to establish and carry out meaningful and constructive lifetime goals. Spiritual wellness is
often based on a belief in a force greater than the individual that helps one contribute to an
improved quality of life for all people. A person with spiritual wellness is generally
characterized as fulfilled as opposed to unfulfilled.
Q4. What is the different between emotional health and emotional wellness?
Ans. A person with emotional health is free from emotional-mental illnesses or debilitating
conditions such as clinical depression and the person who possesses emotional wellness
where as emotional wellness is a person’s ability to cope with daily circumstances and to deal
with personal feelings in a positive, optimistic, and constructive manner. A person with
emotional wellness is generally characterized as happy, as opposed to depressed.
Q5.What is the facts about the physical fitness?
Ans. The facts about the physical fitness are:
1. Physical fitness is a multidimensional state of being.
2. The health-related components of physical fitness are directly associated with good
health.
3. The skill-related components of physical fitness are more associated with
performance than good health.
4. Metabolic fitness is a non-performance component of total fitness.
5. Bone integrity is often considered to be a non-performance measure of fitness.
6. The many components of physical fitness are specific in nature, but are also inter-
related.
7. Good physical fitness is important but it is not the same as physical health and
wellness.
Q6. What is the different between physical health and physical wellness?
Ans. A person with physical health is the one who is free from illnesses that affect the
physiological systems of the body such as the heart, the nervous system, etc. whereas
physical wellness is a person’s ability to function effectively in meeting the demands of the
day’s work and to use free time effectively. Physical wellness includes good physical fitness
and the possession of useful motor skills.

Glossary
Multidimensional: Having or involving or marked by several dimensions or aspects
Calories: Unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1
gram of
water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure
Physiological: Of or relating to the biological study of physiology
Aerobic: Depending on free oxygen or air
Spiritual: Concerned with sacred matters, religion or the church
Abnormalities: An abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or
developmental
 Deficiencies
Depression: A mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a
despondent
lack of activity
Endurance: The power to withstand hardship or stress
Antisocial: Hostile to or disruptive of normal standards of social behavior

Reference:
Corbin, Charkes. Gregory Welk, William Corbin; Concepts of Fitness and Wellness: A
Comprehensive Lifestyle Approach; 9th Edition, McGraw-Hill Higher Education Pubication,
USA.
Corbin, Charkes.  Gregory Welk. William Corbin, Karen Welk; Concepts of Fitness and
Wellness: A Comprehensive Lifestyle Approach, Loose Leaf Edition 11th Edition, McGraw-
Hill Higher Education Pubication, USA.
Armbruster, B. and Gladwin, L. A.2001: "More than Fitness for Older Adults." A Whole-
istic Approach to Wellness. ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal, Springer Publishing
Company, New York.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Ten Great Public Health Accomplishments-
United States 1900-1999." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports.
Clement, M. and Hales, D. 1998: "How Healthy Are We?" Parade Magazine
Corbin, C. B. and Pangrazi, R. P. (Editors), 1999: Towards a Better Understanding of
Physical Fitness and Activity. Scottsdale, AZ: Holcomb-Hathaway
Corbin, C. B., Pangrazi, R. P., and Franks, B. D.2000: "Definitions: Health, Fitness, and
Physical Activity." President's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest

Link web:
www.mhhe.com/hper/physed/clw/student/
www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/.../the-importance-of-health-fitness-and-wellness
https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/wellness/the-importance-of-physical-fitness
https://wellness.ucr.edu
www.fitness.gov.