Through participation in sports and physical activity, children and adolescents learn important lessons of sharing, negotiating and problem solving. Team sports also offer social contact, along with exercise. For the elderly, the benefits of exercise are immense. Mature adults who remain active, interested, and involved in a variety of physically and mentally stimulating activities, find added meaning and purpose in their lives. Fitness promotes independence and self-sufficiency.
Strength is the amount of work one or more muscles are capable of doing in any activity.
Endurance is the length of time a person can do that activity, and flexibility is the range of motion of one or more muscles. Different types of physical activity promote different levels of strength, endurance and flexibility. Total fitness cannot be achieved without developing all three areas. Endurance is improved through aerobic exercise. To be aerobic, the exercise must use the large muscles, such as those in the legs and buttocks, be continuous and last for at least 30 minutes.