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Learning to Learn

Components of Physical Fitness

<h3>What it means to be physically fit</h3><p><strong>Physical fitness</strong> is the body's ability to perform daily activities and sport with energy, strength and control, without tiring too quickly. It is built from several <strong>components</strong>, and good athletes develop all of them.</p><p>The main components are: <strong>muscular strength</strong> (the force a muscle can produce), <strong>muscular endurance</strong> (how long muscles keep working), <strong>cardiovascular endurance</strong> (how well the heart and lungs supply oxygen over time), <strong>flexibility</strong> (the range of movement at the joints), <strong>speed</strong> (how fast you move), <strong>power</strong> (strength applied quickly, also called explosive strength) and <strong>agility</strong> (the ability to change direction quickly with control).</p><p><strong>Power</strong> is shown by explosive movements such as the standing long jump, the shot put and a sprint start. <strong>Cardiovascular endurance</strong> is shown by long-distance running. A complete training plan deliberately exercises each component so the whole body is balanced and ready.</p><div class="callout"><strong>Kenyan context:</strong> Kenya's world-famous distance runners rely heavily on <strong>cardiovascular endurance</strong>, training at high altitude in places like Iten. A rugby player at a Nairobi school, by contrast, needs more <strong>power and agility</strong> for short, explosive sprints and quick changes of direction.</div>
Audio narration — reads aloud, works offline

Physical fitness is: