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What is physical fitness exactly? How do I know if I'm physically fit?

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, physical fitness is a set of five physical qualities. Each one can be improved by exercise. They are cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, and body composition.

Measuring physical fitness isn't done with a single test. Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of one part of physical fitness: body composition. BMI measures height against weight and determines body size. Three major groups are normal, overweight, or obese. Cardiac output (VO2 max) and use of oxygen during movement and exercise (VE) are specific tests of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Range of motion of the joints can be measured to show flexibility. Muscle strength can also be tested in a variety of ways. For example, grip strength is measured using a special device called a dynamometer. Trunk and extremity strength can be measured by a physical therapist using a manual muscle test or special equipment designed to measure strength.

For children, the Presidential Fitness

Test measures physical fitness in five events. The events include curl-ups or partial curl-ups, shuttle run, endurance run/walk, pull-ups or right angle push-ups, and V-sit or sit and reach.

The Presidential Physical Fitness Award goes to anyone who performs at the 85th percentile based on the 1985 School Population Fitness Survey. The National Physical Fitness Award goes to those students who score at the 50th percentile.

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