Components of Fitness
The 6 components of physical fitness are; muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, speed, body composition, aerobic endurance and the components of skill-related fitness; agility, balance, co-ordination, power and reaction time. I will relate the components of fitness to my chosen sport-netball.
6 components of physical fitness
Aerobic endurance
Aerobic endurance is having the ability to exercise for a long period without getting tired. During aerobic work the body is dependent on oxygen; also athletes who are good at aerobic endurance will have slow twitch fibres. This component is suited for an ectomorph because of their small body surface area, light frame and good thermo regulation, which is suitable for endurance based sports such as a triathlon. Aerobic endurance relates to netball because you have to continually run up and down the court for the duration of the netball game.
Muscular endurance
Muscular endurance is having the ability to keep contracting your muscles without getting tired. During an activity that uses muscular endurance they will use slow twitch fibres because of the endurance of the activity. This component is suited for an endomorph because of their large lung capacity they are able to do sports like rowing, which needs muscular endurance. They are also able to increase their muscle mass easily.
In netball you need to have good muscular endurance because you use your leg muscles – triceps and hamstrings- constantly as you run throughout the game. You also use your biceps when you pass the ball to your team mate.

Body composition
Body composition is the percentage of body weight that is fat. Many athletes try to keep their body fat low because the higher the body fat the poorer the performance in the sport. This component is suited for an endomorph as they have a lot of fat on their body, upper arms and thighs. A lot of Body composition is needed in sports like sumo wrestling and shot put.
This relates to my sport because in netball you need to keep your level of body fat to minimum as you need to be able to run throughout the game and use your muscles to pass the ball to your team mates, so if you had a lot of body fat you wouldn’t be to and instead get really tired.
Muscular strength
Muscular strength is the amount of force a muscle can exert. An athlete must have a lot of fast twitch fibres if they want to excel in a sport that needs muscular strength. This component is suited for an endomorph because activities of pure strength like weight –lifting is perfect for them. Muscular strength is also suited for a mesomorph because they excel in strength which allows them to gain muscles easily. They also respond well to resistance training like weight –lifting.
This component relates to netball (my sport) because you need muscular strength in your lower limbs to leap into the air to intercept a ball and to continually use your legs throughout the netball game. You need muscular strength in your upper limbs to pass a ball and score a goal.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the movement of the limb around a joint. This component is suitable for ectomorphs because of their light frame allowing them to do sports like gymnastics. You could also say flexibility is suitable for a mesomorph because of their strength. They are able to hold themselves in a gymnastic position for a long time.
Speed
Speed is when you are able to move a part of your body very quickly; an example of this would be sprinting. When using speed in a sport the athlete will usually have faster twitch fibres then slow twitch fibres because of the short bursts of energy. This component is suitable for a mesomorph because of their medium structure and height. They find it easy to lose weight meaning they don’t struggle in sports where speed is needed.
5 components of skill-related fitness
Agility
Agility is when you’re able to perform a sequence of fast, powerful movements in different directions. This component is suitable for a mesomorph because of their ability in speed.
Netball relates to this sport because it is a fast paced game with many quick changes of direction, for example if the direction of game changes the player must be able to stop, turn and run in the new direction as fast as possible. Agility is also useful when a player intercepts the ball because they need to be able to land, pivot and then throw the ball off to one of their team mates.
Co-ordination
Co-ordination is the ability to accurately execute a sequence of movements. To achieve a successful outcome in a sport you need to able to coordinate your limbs.
This component relates to netball because coordination is required when shooting, as you need to be accurate. You need coordination when you pass the ball to your team mate. You must be accurate or you could end up passing it to the opposition.
Balance
Balance is an even distribution of weight allowing someone/something to keep steady and upright. This component relates to netball because when shooting, you need to keep your balance while you’re trying to find your aim to the shoot the ball in the net. It is also needed when the ball is being passed to you because when you do footwork you mustn’t lose your balance.
Reaction time
Reaction time is how quickly someone reacts to a situation. This component relates to netball because you need to react fast when your team mate passes the ball to you. As you’re only allowed to be in possession of the ball for 3 seconds you must react quickly when passing the ball to your team. During the beginning of netball match there is a toss-up to see who gets to start with the ball; the player must react quickly to be the first to grab it. Reaction time is also needed in netball when you intercept the ball from your opponent.
Power
Power is the ability to exert force using speed. This component is suitable for a mesomorph because of their muscular physique; they are able to use more power in their movement.
Power relates to netball because the athletes legs require take-off power to get away from the opponent that is defending you. This is the same with the defender; they need take-off power to intercept the ball from their attacker. Power is also need when passing the ball to your team player, so it is more accurate, making it harder for the opposing team to intercept it.