Fit People are Harder to Kill: The Sickness-Wellness-Fitness Continuum

The CrossFit definition of Fitness (“work capacity across broad time and modal domains”) was developed through a combination of four theoretical models: The Hopper, the Sickness-Wellness-Fitness Continuum, The Ten General Physical Skills, and The Three Energy Pathways. Optimizing these systems of fitness, developing competence in each aspect without neglecting any other, is the goal of CrossFit programming.

From blood pressure to A1C, to % Body Fat to bone density, almost every health marker exists on a continuum. Beyond a certain level a patient is considered “sick” and on the other side (above or below, depending on the marker) is considered “well.” We often additionally find that people we would consider “fit” (Think: professional athletes) go beyond “wellness:” to a point of measurable medical fitness. Put together, The Sickness-Wellness-Fitness Continuum is a summary of these findings, that these health markers exist on a sliding scale and that, most importantly, if you are Fit, you must pass through Wellness before you can become truly Ill. Stated another way, we find that Fitness acts as a barrier against illness. In the words of one trainer: “Fit people are harder to Kill.”

For more information, read the full article on The Sickness-Wellness-Fitness Continuum in the CrossFit Journal HERE