“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.” This quote is referenced to no other than recognized historical figure from classic Greece, Hippocrates of Kos. He was a Greek physician who lived from 460 to 370 B.C. It might be considered one of the earliest references to what we call Exercise Science today.
Exercise science is a theory-based, research-led discipline that aims to understand the interaction of multiple fields as Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Biology, Physiology and Medicine. Often Exercise Science will be involved in fields of Pedagogy and Sports for its teaching/learning processes, educational goals, behaviors acquisition/change, health and performance.
Once upon a time, exercise was a valuable factor, recognized for whom who has been considered the “Father of Medicine”. Many things have changed since the old Greek civilization, however our physiological response to exercise not so much. Despite our civilization progression and knowledge at this present time, exercise often seems to be in a second plan. Learn the 5 things you need to know about fitness.
5 things you should know about
The goal of this post is to provide useful awareness about Exercise science applications and how they might fit, contribute and benefit your lifestyle. An good idea of what Physical activity, Exercise, Fitness, Strength & Conditioning and Sport are will provide the right approach to identify your needs and goals for a better life experience. Although they might seem the same, they are not.
1. Physical activity
Physical activity is ALL the body movement that requires energy expenditure. Movement is generated by the skeletal muscles. Physical activity includes exercise as well as other activities which involve bodily movement and are done as part of playing, working, active transportation, house chores and recreational activities. Physical activity can contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction. Knowing that physical activity engagement has different levels as: Sedentary, Low active, Active, Very active. Physical activity and exercise are not the same. Although Physical Activity is beneficial it might not provide the benefits you actually need.
2. Physical exercise
Physical exercise is a task or an activity deliberately planned, structured and repetitive that seeks to improve or maintain an adaptation contributing to enhance performance or health. Worth to mention that this purposeful orientation of improvement must not have a negative contribution to health. Therefore maintain balance between benefits and detrimental effects is decisive. Exercise has extensive beneficial applications in Health, Injury Prevention and Performance.
3. Fitness
Fitness is understood as your body state of being physiologically capable of handling challenges above a resting threshold of activity. In other words your readiness to succeed. Fitness has variety of applications and perspectives depending on its approach and outcomes: Physical fitness, Health fitness or Skill fitness. Each one has a related set of attributes to have and achieve which ultimately relate to the ability to perform. ATHL S-Core® fitness spectrum is composed by 5 components including BALANCE, STRENGTH, METABOLISM, ENDURANCE and RECOVERY. Fitness has multiple application in for Health, Injury Prevention and Performance. orientations, where each one targets different outcomes.
4. Strength & Conditioning
Strength & Conditioning are programmed exercise interventions and methodologies targeting the fitness spectrum. Strength & Conditioning is composed by the integration of multiple fitness, physiological and structural adaptations to serve a purpose. An Strength & Conditioning program and ATHL S-Core® function is to orchestrate and coordinate an organized fitness program for Health, Injury Prevention or Performance scopes. Strength & Conditioning provides a framework that aims to satisfy the requirements and needs with an outright profile for a specific scenario under 4 main principles:
+ Improve performance and function
+ Develop systematic interventions
+ Assess performance and progression
+ Reduce injury risk
5. Sport
Sport are those physical activities under rules. Sport and regulations can be recreational, amateur or professional under a competitive or sanctioned scenario. For this reason Sport and Sport Science have an specific category within the biology of physical activity. It is well known in the professional sports that Strength & Conditioning is a valuable and indispensable tool to achieve adaptations that increase athletic performance to increase probability of success in competition as well as taking advantage of all 4 Strength & Conditioning main principles.
Exercise is not, but does “magic”
Science has proved over the years the practical application and benefits of Exercise and Strength & Conditioning for fitness with Health, Injury Prevention and Performance orientations. Exercise and Strength & Conditioning programs are powerful tools. Since we ,as humans, are regulated by the same physiological processes Exercise and Strength & Conditioning applications are broad inclusive., however physiological and biological functions ain’t different.
“Exercise science helps to improve and enhance life quality and performance. Exercise targets biologic processes.”
Exercise and Strength & Conditioning programs provide the answer and solution to “How”, “When” and “Why” to exercise under the approach of “what” to achieve. Individualization will play an important role due to single individual, groups or team requirements, needs and goals, with exceptions and adaptations to particular cases of injury and clinical conditions. Ultimately, exercise targets biologic processes to induce adaptations, leading to progression, improving physiologic profile and enhancing capacities over time to whatever end, Health, Injury Prevention and Performance, is set. From climbing the Everest, win the match or attain, return to play to seek a longevity state of health the exercise potential is there.
