ts, cardiorespiratory endurance can be defined as the ability of the body's circulatory and respiratory systems to supply fuel during sustained physical activity (Eijnde & associates, 2003). This component of physical fitness can be improved by activities that maintain an elevated heart rate at a safe level for a sustained period of time. Exercise techniques and methods for improving cardiorespiratory endurance include activities such as walking, swimming or bicycling (Petrie, Matthews & Howard, 1996).
However, it is important to recognize that whatever exercises are chosen to improve cardiorespiratory endurance, they need not be strenuous. As noted by Nielens and Plaghki (2001), even patients who are in a good deal of pain, which makes activities associated with cardiorespiratory endurance difficult, can make good progress if they start out slow and work up to a more intense pace. There are, however, indications that there may be some differences in men and women in this regard.
The second component of physical fitness is muscle strength which is the ability of the muscle to exert force during an activity (Sothmann, Gebhardt, Baker, Kastello & Sheppard, 2004). According to Blair, LaMonte and Nichaman (2004), it is resistance that makes muscles stronger. Strength can be built by weights or simply allowing gravity to provide the resistance. Thus, lifting weights or walking rapidly upstairs can provide the resistance that is needed to increase muscle endurance.
Muscular endurance, the third component of physical fitness, is the ability of the muscle to perform activities without fatigue (Kell, Bell & Quinney, 2001). Common tests of muscular endurance include the side-bridge/sit-up and push-up activities (White & Ransdell, 2003). However, no single endurance test measures the endurance of all muscles.
Kell, Bell and Quinney (2001) report that the core muscle exercises, when performed properly, are important in developing...