What is the meaning of Body composition?

It refers primarily to the distribution of muscle, fat, bone and other tissues in the body, and its measurement is often considered as a component of fitness. It is different from body weight in that it refers to the build of the body in terms of lean body mass (muscle, bone, vital tissues and organs) and fat mass. An optimal percentage of fat to lean mass is an indication of fitness. It is often represented as a two compartment system; lean body mass and fat mass. The fat mass is then expressed as a percentage of total body weight (BF %).

The above parameters of fitness are related to athlete, as well as, non-athlete and people of all age-groups and are of prime importance for health and wellness of one and all. There are a few more motor skill-related aspects of fitness which are of greater significance only in sports. These include balance, co-ordination, reaction time and speed. While these components are important in achieving success in athletics, they are not crucial for the development of better health.