What's the difference.....

One of our readers sent in the following question.

I was just reading your blog from Sept. 28th and I have a question based on your commentary. In terms of Fitness, what would be the difference between Stamina and Endurance, Power and Strength, and Flexibility and Agility? I'm just curious. - Christina

The Answer

Great question. First off, thanks for taking the time to join my newsletter and for reading the past blogs. I hope you find them informative.

Not knowing your level of fitness I will try to define the terms and give examples from everyday life and from an athletic perspective.

I think the easiest of the three distinctions is between flexibility and agility. Flexibility is the ability of your body to move through a full range of motion without restriction due to tightness in the muscles or joints. Having adequate flexibility in everyday life may show itself by a person who is able to reach their hands fully overhead to grab a box off the top shelf of the pantry and then bend down and place that box on the floor without feeling tightness or pain in their shoulders or legs. In athletics, flexibility is best displayed by a gymnast performing on the uneven bars or on the floor routine. They are able to contort into improbable positions without restriction from muscular or joint tightness.

Agility is the ability for your body to move quickly but in a controlled manner through a variety of directions and planes of motion. Agility for the average person is demonstrated by being able to “catch” your balance when you trip on the curb by quickly placing your other foot into position without even thinking about it. For the athlete, agility can be seen in an NFL defender moving sideways at full speed, leaping over a blocker, turning and running toward the ball carrier without losing balance or control.

The power vs. strength distinction is a little more subtle. Strength is the ability to supply force against an object. Lifting a heavy box off the ground is an example. In athletics it is displayed by a football player pushing on his/her opponent for the length of a full play. Power is the ability to exert maximum strength in minimal time. It usually involves one good forceful movement. Power is the shove you give to a child on a swing when they want to go really high. In sport, it is the hard swing of a home run hitter.

Stamina and endurance basically mean the same thing. Except when I refer to them I am referring to cardiovascular endurance and muscular stamina. Endurance is the ability to process and deliver oxygen to the body. Stamina is the ability to process and deliver energy to the body. Endurance is displayed by someone who can walk up 5 flights of stairs and not be winded at the top. Stamina is displayed by someone who can carry 20 boxes of books out to the car without stopping to rest their arms. Marathon runners have tremendous endurance. And if you ever tried to throw punches for even 30 seconds it would be very clear that boxers have extraordinary stamina to keep punching over the course of ten 3-minute rounds.

I hope that helps. I would be happy to explain more or differently.

Thanks again for the question and keep reading the blog.

Be well,

Paul

Paul Dziewisz
Active Personal Fitness
www.ActivePersonalFitness.com
267.626.7478