Physical Fitness Programs

For the human body to be physically fit certain basic standards should be maintained. A person may do the recommended amount of aerobics each week, and yet remain on a very unhealthy diet that has detrimental effects on the body and a person’s overall health. Many professionals and agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Health make certain recommendations on basic physical fitness standards that can help maintain a healthy and fit body.

One thing that people often overlook is dehydration. Most people in the United States are constantly in a mild state of dehydration. This prevents muscles and organs from functioning properly, and also prevents you from metabolizing food properly. The minimum standards for water intake are set at 2 1/2 to 3 liters per day. This equals out to around 85 to 100 ounces of water a day. If you have exerted yourself that day, or lost a lot of fluids through sweating or through conditions such as vomiting, the amount of fluid intake should be raised accordingly.

The set exercise standards for adults over the age of 18 are to have at least 4 separate instances of continuous physical exertion that lasts at least 30 to 45 minutes every week. This is the basic minimum to help decrease the chance of diseases such as diabetes. It is recommended that when designing your exercise plan you balance your routine to incorporate activities that promote health in the main component areas of physical fitness. These areas are cardiovascular health, muscle strength, muscle stamina, flexibility and body composition. The recommended standards for children and teens set out by the NIH are at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.

Of all the standards for physical fitness that are set, the ones that seem to be ignored the most are those concerning diet. Developing a healthy eating plan is the cornerstone upon which a healthy body is built. For a long time the standard for fruits and vegetables were 5 servings a day. Recently, however, with findings that an increased amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet can reduce chances of stroke, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer, the CDC and many other health organizations have started recommending between 7 to 9 servings a day.

This dietary standard can help promote health in all areas of the body. It is also recommended for people to try a variety of different vegetables in their diets. The different nutrients found in different types of vegetables work well when being combined together. It is also recommended that with the variety of other vegetables you try to incorporate large amounts of green leafy vegetables.

Some physical fitness standards relate individually to each persons body. One example is the Body Mass Index, which measures the amount of body fat you have based on your height and weight. The National Institute of Health has set certain standards for what a person’s BMI should be. According to the NIH the standard BMI for a healthy adult should fall between the ranges of 19.1kg and 25.8kg for females and between 20.7kg and 26.4kg for males. Any amount over this standard is considered overweight, and could be a sign of increased risk of obesity related disease.

These basic standards are set to help people understand the basic needs of their body to be in a physically fit state. Following these standards in daily life help us to function at our highest potential. When a person is physically fit they can accomplish daily tasks without becoming fatigued, enjoy sports and recreational activities that require physical exertion, remain clear and focused during the work day, and enjoy a more complete night’s sleep.