Physical Fitness

Physical Fitness is used in two close meanings: general fitness (a state of health and well-being) and specific fitness (a task-oriented definition based on the ability to perform specific aspects of sports or occupations).

Physical fitness is the capacity of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and muscles to function at optimum efficiency. In previous years, fitness was defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue. Automation, increased leisure time, and changes in lifestyles following the industrial revolution meant this criterion was no longer sufficient. Optimum efficiency is the key. Physical fitness is now defined as the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist hypokinetic diseases, and to meet emergency situations.

Goals of sport nutrition

Sports nutrition is applied in most sports training, however it is most dominant in strength sports (for example weight lifting and bodybuilding) and endurance sports (for example cycling, running, triathlon).

Some of the main goals of sport nutrition are to:
- prepare athlete for performance or training (before)
- maintain the level of performance or training (during)
- help recovery from performance or training (after)
In some sports, nutrition is also necessary in maintaining a body aesthetic (bodybuilding) or body weight (cycling).

Health Act 2006

The Health Act 2006 is an Act of Parliament that provides for a number of administrative changes in the National Health Service.

More significantly, the Act also introduced provisions for the creation of a ban on smoking in enclosed public places. This ban focuses on smoking:

- In places of work.
- In places that the public access to obtain goods and services, controversially including private clubs.
- In other places designated by Statutory Instrument.

The sections of the Act allowing a ban extend to England and Wales although the provisions implementing the ban will come into effect separately in England and Wales. In England the ban took effect on 1 July 2007. The ban in Wales came into effect on 2 April 2007. In Northern Ireland the ban took effect on 30 April 2007.

The Health Act also granted the Secretary of State to increase the age for purchasing tobacco from 16 to 18, coming into force on 1 October 2007.