ACADEMIC JOURNEYS AND FITNESS REALMS: A STUDY OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES
Keywords:
Physical Fitness, Cardiorespiratory Endurance, V02max, Holistic Well-being, Fitness AssessmentAbstract
The concept of fitness encompasses a holistic approach to well-being, encompassing mental, emotional, social, spiritual, moral, and physical dimensions tailored to an individual's hereditary disposition (Pate, 1998; Sharma, 2015). Specifically, physical fitness is defined as the capacity to execute Activities of Daily Living (ADL), indulge in leisure pursuits, and possess sufficient energy reserves to handle unforeseen emergencies without experiencing excessive fatigue (Prentice, 1994; Hoeger et al, 2018). At the core of assessing physical fitness lies cardiorespiratory endurance, a pivotal index that reflects an individual's ability to sustain aerobic activities (Charles et al, 2004; Domínguez et al, 2018).
Cardiorespiratory endurance, a key component of physical fitness, is elucidated by the Maximum Capacity of the working tissue to utilize oxygen, commonly denoted as V02max (Bennett et al, 2016). This metric holds paramount importance in gauging an individual's overall fitness level, encapsulating the efficiency with which the body's tissues utilize oxygen during prolonged physical exertion. As such, understanding cardiorespiratory endurance becomes instrumental in comprehending an individual's fitness status and predicting their ability to perform various physical tasks.
This abstract underscores the multifaceted nature of fitness, delving into its diverse dimensions and emphasizing the significance of cardiorespiratory endurance as a pivotal indicator. By exploring the physiological underpinnings of V02max, this study aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of cardiorespiratory endurance and its role in the broader context of physical fitness assessment. The investigation employs a comprehensive approach to shed light on the intricate interplay between hereditary factors, mental and emotional stability, social consciousness, and adaptability, alongside the indispensable role of cardiorespiratory endurance in achieving an optimal state of physical well-being.