6.1 Fitness, body systems and the effects of exercise
P1, P3-
Introduction,
Define the term fitness; this is the ability of the body distributing inhaled oxygen to muscle tissue during increased physical effort. This is also the state of a human being physically fit and mentally.
In the uniformed public service there is a large variety of fitness assessments. A fitness assessment is used in the uniformed public services because it tells the recruiters that you are fit and suitable for the job.
These are the main fitness components:
Cardiovascular fitness is the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissues and the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement. This will be expected in the army because there will be taught situations, like for example if you are trying to escape on a failed mission you need as much energy as possible.
This is important in the public services because in some areas like the police force, the front line officers will need to have the right fitness level so that they are able to do there jobs and tasks in the most efficient way as possible, this also makes sure that the public receives the best service as they pay and fund the services after all through taxation.
Test; you could do a 12mins cooper run
Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle or a group of muscles that sustain repeated contractions against a resistance for an extended period of time. In the fire service when they carry the hose pipes to the situation it takes a lot of strength to move it because the pipe are designed to shoot out a huge amount of water per second.
Test; 60secs of press ups
Flexibility is an ability of an individual to move his or her joints through a full range of motions. Flexibility helps individuals to stretch without straining themselves. The public services roles require flexibility because in certain situations they have to be quick and responsive to be safe. This requires fitness and flexibility up to scratch. This is important to the public service3 because a service like the army force, the front line soldiers will have to be flexible to carry the equipments and also they would need to be mobile meaning the soldiers will travel a lot to different locations. This means if someone dislocates a bone, then it would drag the team down and may put the whole team in danger.
Test; sit and reach
Strength, Muscular strength is the ability of a muscle or a group of muscle to exert force to overcome the most resistance in one effort. This would be required to the police service because you have to chase offenders down and restrain them; this will be needed because the offender might be stronger than you.
Test; Rowing

Body composition, are too used to describe the percentages of fat, bone and muscle in human bodies. Because muscular tissue takes up less space in our body than fat tissue, our body composition, as well as our weight, determines leanness. Two people of equal height and body weight may look completely different from each other because they have a different body composition. If you are in the army they want you to be fit as possible because you will be effective on the battle ground. The situation could be an ambush from the enemy; this will require you to be highly responsive and effectively quick to protect the base from the enemy. Otherwise you will cause risk to other soldiers because you could have helped them effectively.
Test; Dexa scan
Entry requirement
You will carry out a shuttle run over a 15 metre area and run in time with a bleep. At the end of each level, the time in between the bleeps is shortened and you therefore have to run faster to keep up with the pace. You will complete four shuttle runs and the recruit pass mark is level 5.4. This involves running for approximately 3 minutes 40 seconds.
In the police force there is a compulsory fitness test that needs to be carried out;
1 – The “endurance test” which is a