How fit is "average?"

[Panter]

I was watching a TV programme last night, I think it was called "Are you fitter than a pensioner" or something.
Anyway, it wasn't great viewing, and I missed the first half, but basically at one point they must've appraised the fitness of a group of youngsters (the bit I missed) and given them a "fitness age" which was many Years in excess of their real age due to sedentary lifestyles etc.

Anyway, it got me wondering, how do you define average fitness? how fit is the average 40 Year old for example?
Is it easily measurable or, (as I suspect) is it a complex thing to define?

 

[jimboalee]

http://www.brianmac.co.uk/queens.htm

 

[yello]

The average fit human male can throw a spear between the ribs of a wildebeast and then chase it until it dies, and then with the help of three others, carry it back to the village before sunset.

Not much call for that these days... except maybe in parts of Solihull.

I suspect the 'average' human of today might not even be able to identify a wildebeest (without the aid of google) let alone lob a spear into one.

Methinks you're right to question the notion of 'average', panter. It's to the point of meaningless to even try and assess it. Even notions of fitness are variable; my neighbour can lug logs of wood around for hours whereas I reckon I could cycle further than him - so who's fitter?

I think you can only be concerned with your own levels of fitness. Comparing it too some arbitrary measure of the performance of others tells you little, imho. Ask your own questions and find your own answers.... say's he reaching for another madeleine.

 

[SquareDaff]

I think you can only be concerned with your own levels of fitness. Comparing it too some arbitrary measure of the performance of others tells you little, imho.

+1 on this. If you're honest with yourself you know when you're unfit or not and whether it's time to do a little more training. If you think you're fit enough to accomplish whatever life may throw at you then who cares what the "average says". And if you want an example of how useless averages are - just look at the height/weight/BMI charts!! What a work of fiction they are - taking absolutely no notice of muscle mass etc.... I'm a 5ft 6ins bloke with a 30inch waist but according to those I'm almost obese!! Go figure!!!!

 

[rich p]

Yello's right. Averages are misleading, if almost everyone else is a sloth it will make you look good even if you're not much better!

I suspect most of us who cycle a fair bit are fitter than we need to be to lead a healthy existence.

 

[jimboalee]

IMHO the minimum fitness for a young chap with a growing family is to run up a ladder to rescue his kids from a burning building.

 

[yello]

I think you're average young chap today would be faster SMSing the fire brigade.

 

[jimboalee]

I think you're average young chap today would be faster SMSing the fire brigade.

And carrying a small coffin on each shoulder.

 

[montage]

A standardised test would have to be used - the bleep test being a good one.

But then how do you define fitness? A body builder may declare themselves fit, but many of them are far from it. Strength? Flexibility? Cardiovascular strength? Is somebody who can ride for 2 days straight fitter than somebody who can do relatively well in an open time trial?

 

[summerdays]

I watched that program and the youngsters were a lazy bunch, who I suspect probably returned to their old ways the minute they returned to the UK. Problem is that so many in the UK don't know how unfit they actually are - I saw a youngish person sail by me on an electric bike one morning, she was on the flat and not pedalling at all just letting the bike do it all.

 

[zacklaws]

>>The average fit human male can throw a spear between the ribs of a wildebeast and then chase it until it dies, and then with the help of three others, carry it back to the village before sunset.<<

You have to interpret it to the modern day:

Walk down to the local supermarket, and the with the help of three colleagues carry enough cases of beer and meat and walk home and have a mammoth barbecue, then repeat a few hours later just before sunset but just for a few more cases of beer for the evening session.

 

[addictfreak]

When I for my work based health screening every 3 years, I always put average fitness on the questionnaire.
But when I'm in with the occ health nurse and explain my cycling and other things, he always upgrades my fitness level.

I suppose we all underestimate ourselves at times. I am always thinking that I could be fitter.

 

[asterix]

I wouldn't want to try being much fitter. I have been doing heavy building work for 6 months this year, shifting heavy oak, trundling wheelbarrows up hill and down, climbing ladders and scaffolding, building stone walls and plasterboarding like a demon.

In June I did the 100 hour Raid Pyrenean in 97 hours and then spent a week on the Gironde hacking the rot out of the 3 inch planking of a Brixham Trawler before sticking a patch on. Whilst lying on my back in a dinghy. In 30C.

Now I am having a couple of weeks off before I go back to making 2 window openings in a 60cm stone wall, making oak surrounds and fitting the windows 3-4 metres above the ground.

I like being busy.

 

[Dan B]

IMHO the minimum fitness for a young chap with a growing family is to run up a ladder to rescue his kids from a burning building.

Bungalows FTW