During this century in the western world, infectious diseases (those which are passed on from one person to another) have declined dramatically, but health problems brought about by lack of exercise have increased.

Charles Corbin (an American health expert) refers to these as Hypokinetic diseases; which he says are due to activity. This can be accounted for, to some extent, by the change from jobs needing physical effort, such as farming, to jobs that are mostly done sitting down (sedentary jobs), such as office jobs.

There are a number of reasons why infectious diseases have been brought more under control. Improved hygiene and general cleanliness are among the reasons, for example, hospitals are now much cleaner places than they were a hundred years ago.

Definitions

Health:  a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being, not simply the absence of disease or infirmity.

Exercise:  a form of physical activity done primarily to improve one’s health and physical fitness.

Fitness:  the ability to meet the demands of the environment.

Muscular Endurance:  is concerned with lifting lighter weights repeatedly without getting tired.

Flexibility:  this area of Health Related Exercise enables us to have a good range of movements in ours joints.

Body Composition:  is the % of body weight which is fat, muscle and bone. We can influence our body composition through exercise and diet, but is largely down to genes.