The Components of Physical Fitness in Adults: A Roundtable Statement by the American College of Sports Medicine

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has included a description of the components of physical fitness (PF) in their publications for 40 years. Because new scientific evidence has emerged, ACSM convened a scientific roundtable to reexamine the components of PF. The scientific roundtable agreed upon standardized definitions and an updated evidence-informed model of PF consisting of five interconnected components of PF: 1) cardiorespiratory fitness; 2) muscular fitness; 3) body composition; 4) neuromotor fitness; and 5) flexibility; with muscular fitness, body composition and neuromotor fitness further separated into subcomponents. These components met four inclusion criteria; they: 1) are changeable by exercise; 2) affect the ability to participate in physical activity or exercise; 3) contribute to health; and 4) can be feasibly assessed in professional practice. Additional overriding themes that emerged from the scientific roundtable included the complexity of PF and the interrelated nature of the components. Furthermore, it was agreed that when applied in practice, PF is best addressed in an individualized manner. Therefore, the components of PF should be considered dynamic as the focus on any given component can shift when considering individual needs, goals, health status, and priorities/interests.