|
At the request of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, seven medical experts rated 14 sports and exercises for their contribution to physical well-being. Each activity was rated on a scale of 0 to 3. In other words, a rating of 21 for an exercise means that it offers the most benefit, since all seven experts gave it a Score of 3. The results:
|
Physical Fitness |
General Well-Being |
|||||||||
Stamina |
Muscular Endurance |
Muscular Strength |
Flexibility |
Balance |
Weight Control |
Muscle Definition |
Digestion |
Sleep |
Total Score |
|
| Jogging | 21 |
20 |
17 |
9 |
17 |
21 |
14 |
13 |
16 |
148 |
| Bicycling | 19 |
18 |
16 |
9 |
18 |
20 |
15 |
12 |
15 |
142 |
| Swimming | 21 |
20 |
14 |
15 |
12 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
16 |
140 |
| Skating-ice or roller | 18 |
17 |
15 |
13 |
20 |
17 |
14 |
11 |
15 |
140 |
| Handball/squash | 19 |
18 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
11 |
13 |
12 |
140 |
| Skiing-cross-country | 19 |
19 |
15 |
14 |
16 |
17 |
12 |
12 |
15 |
139 |
| Skiing-downhl11 | 16 |
18 |
15 |
14 |
21 |
15 |
14 |
9 |
12 |
134 |
| Basketball | 19 |
17 |
15 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
13 |
10 |
12 |
134 |
| Tennis | 16 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
128 |
| Calisthenics | 10 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
15 |
12 |
18 |
11 |
12 |
126 |
| Walking | 13 |
14 |
11 |
7 |
8 |
13 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
102 |
| Golf | 8 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
66 |
| Softball | 6 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
64 |
| Bowling | 5 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
51 |
| Frequency. The ratings are based on vigorous exercise for 30 minutes to an hour, at least four times per week. The golf ratings assume use of a cart or caddy, or both. Walking the links greatly improves golf's fitness value. |
FromUS NEWS & WORLD REPORT June 1, 1981