There are five components of physical fitness, muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular strength, flexibility, and body composition. However, there are also minor components of physical fitness that are just as important for training and improving your health and well-being. These minor components of physical fitness include balance, coordination, agility, and reaction time. Most sports require athletes to be fit in each of these components in order to play at a competitive level. In fact, without these minor components of fitness, you may be more prone to injury and perform less than standard.
Balance is important for most sports that require you to be off your feet and on an animal or wheels. However, balance should not be overlooked in sports that require a significant amount of lateral movement, such as basketball or tennis. Good balance will keep you upright and safe in many different situations whether you are on wheels or on your feet. There are specific ways to increase your balance for each sport. In cycling you can improve your balance using rollers. On skates, you can improve your balance by attempting a more challenging trail. Using an exercise ball to improve core muscle strength and a trampoline can also help improve balance.
The second minor component of physical fitness is coordination. This is an extension of balance, but in fact it is the ability of the muscles to work in harmony in movement. This harmony can only be achieved if the equipment used fits correctly and adapts to your body. If the blades on your skates are not smooth, your coordination and balance will suffer. If your bike is too tall or too small, your muscles won’t work in harmony.
Many athletes require agility for their sport. This minor component of physical fitness often means the difference between winning and losing. Agility can be both mental and physical. Moving through a strong basketball defensive line requires the ability to see the scene, choose the correct route, and move. These are split second decisions that the athlete may not even remember making. But they are important.
The last minor component of physical fitness is reaction time. This is the ability to respond to a stimulus quickly and appropriately. When you adjust the direction of your bike, quickly turn left to avoid a defender on the basketball court or adjust your speed and direction while racing on the football field using your reaction time. This requires your brain to register that there is an obstacle in its path, to send a message to the correct muscles, and for the muscles to contract correctly and in the correct order.
Sports such as cycling, basketball, kayaking, soccer, and skating incorporate the five major components of physical fitness and the minor components of physical fitness.