Activity or Fitness: Is the Process or the Product More Important for Public Health?

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Abstract
This paper focuses attention on the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and health. Studies have clearly shown that regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, some forms of cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. A few studies have indicated a similar relationship between physical fitness and heart disease. Since most chronic health problems are not apparent until adulthood, it has been difficult to determine the actual health benefit of physical activity or physical fitness for children. Much research is needed in order to determine the potential health benefits of childhood activity and fitness as well as the carryover value of active lifestyles from childhood to adulthood. Although the exact nature of the health benefits of childhood activity is unknown, it is clear that practitioners must not delay in developing methods to motivate students to incorporate activity as a part of their daily lives.