Physical fitness vs. physical conditioning

A coach or you yourself must know how to distinguish between being fit and what you need physical conditioning for.

When discussing physical conditioning, it is often referred to as a measure of “how fatigued someone becomes over time” or “the ability to keep going.” Can it be measured?

This relates to how “fit” someone is; however, this is not strictly accurate: fitness and physical conditioning are two separate parts of our overall performance.

Confusingly, it is possible and very common to have a relatively high level of fitness but poor physical conditioning.

So, what is the difference, and how can you ensure that you are addressing both elements of performance in your training?

Fitness: what is it?

Fitness is defined by measuring established markers that allow us to see a potential increase in performance, such as VO2 max, resting heart rate, anaerobic threshold, or an increase in strength, speed, or power, etc.

Generally speaking, the markers we track for fitness are measurable and tangible, allowing us to see how much you can lift or how fast you can run.

Fitness markers that are not physical conditioning markers are qualities that contribute to the energy production required for performance.

In other words, fitness is the measurement of the physical qualities that create performance potential:

• VO2 max.
• Resting heart rate.
• Heart rate variability.
• Anaerobic threshold.
• Aerobic threshold.
• Strength condition.

Physical conditioning: what is it?

Physical conditioning, on the other hand, relies much less on data, because it concerns your ability to use your fitness qualities to meet the demands of the environment.

In effect, they are the physical and mental skills you must develop to manage your energy effectively to meet the demands of a specific sport or activity.

Physical conditioning is the true driver of Performance, since if you want to use your full potential (physical capacity markers) to drive Performance, you must also work on developing the skills necessary for physical conditioning.

Performance requires both a high level of fitness and a high level of physical conditioning.

The factors involved here are:

• Energy production and expenditure.
• Muscle size and fiber type.
• Personalized nutrition.
• Movement capacity.
• Skill and technique.
• Mental Performance.
• Mobility and joint integrity.

A good personal trainer should be able to develop your fitness and your physical conditioning to prepare you and your body to perform in the sport or environment you have chosen.

Most aerobic workouts will improve your fitness markers, but physical conditioning depends on a different game.

Although most types of exercise will improve your overall fitness, we need to be a little more specific when it comes to this, because if we focus on physical conditioning, there are two main factors we need to consider:

• Energy production and control
• Mobility and joint integrity

Energy control

We live in an era in which the general philosophy surrounding fitness or bodybuilding is often to go harder, faster, farther.

Although this may earn you plenty of praise from your coach or other members of your gym, it is unlikely to translate into muscle gains or gains on the stage.

Although the idea of being able to go 100% from start to finish sounds heroic, it is not possible for the human body to maintain this level of power for an extended period.

Although there will be times when you may have pushed yourself to the limit continuously, working at maximum effort can complicate matters.

This could push your body into a state of stress, poor recovery, and injury, which ironically will reduce your capacity for Performance and physical conditioning.

It is always important to know your body’s limits, when to step on the accelerator and go 100%, and when to pull back.

This is the only way you will be able to manage your energy effectively,

• To maintain energy control, something known as “dynamic energy control” is used.
• This tool will help you become aware of your own energy production and consciously control it to avoid fatigue and maximize Performance.

When you can recognize what your limits are based on your own heart rate, and how different levels of exertion and rest make it rise and fall, you can move on to more complex energy-control methods, such as tempo intervals and alactic-aerobic intervals.

Dynamic energy control will help you recognize the signs of fatigue and develop an awareness of what different levels of exertion look and feel like, so you can learn to manage and manipulate them.

Joint mobility and integrity

Runners certainly have a good level of physical fitness, with markers that include a low resting heart rate, high VO2 max, and a high anaerobic threshold.

In addition, they often know how to manage their energy output through dynamic energy control, which is one piece of the physical conditioning puzzle.

If you have recently started training, it is more than likely that you have experienced pain or, worse still, an injury, or even cramps or sharp pains.

Essentially, this is a sign that too much is being done too soon and is a classic indicator of poor conditioning.

Many athletes do not think about the mechanics behind performing a particular exercise or the amount of force their joints are exposed to, but this should be essential.

A large part of physical conditioning is preparing the body for the environment in which you are training or competing, and if you do not do this, you are not only exposed to injury, but also risk sacrificing the time, money, and willpower you have invested during your training.

Different sports or athletic activities, such as fitness training or bodybuilding, place different levels of stress on the body.

Well, if you are looking to reach your peak performance, you must make sure your body is ready to handle the stress demanded by its particular sport.

 

Physical conditioning: a summary

So, as a quick summary, are physical fitness and conditioning the same thing? No…

• Physical fitness (energy systems, strength, power) = energy production, performance potential.
• Physical conditioning = qualities + sets of skills that facilitate energy expenditure; it is about preparing the body for the demands / environment of the sport, since a well-conditioned athlete can execute their skills as well as possible during training or competition.