Skill-related Fitness Answers

Agility is the ability to rapidly and accurately change direction, whereas balance is maintaining equilibrium and coordination is the smooth integration of multiple body movements.

The wall test involves throwing a ball against a wall with one hand and catching it with the opposite hand as it bounces back. It measures the ability of using different body parts in conjunction with one another. While reaction time is somewhat a factor, it is a repetitive, pattern behavior test that makes good coordination a more important factor than agility, power, or speed.

The various components of skill-related fitness do not exist in isolation. Reaction time in a sport is also dependent upon coordination in order to react to stimuli, just like balance is important in situations relying upon high levels of agility. There is not much point in being highly agile in a sport if a player cannot stay upright through the end of the play or maneuver. These different skills are important to different degrees in different activities, so none of them can be discounted or ignored.

Heredity affects a person's natural abilities and potential, which can influence skill-related fitness. Some people may inherit traits that give them an advantage in areas such as speed, coordination, or balance. Although heredity cannot be changed, regular practice and training can help people improve their skills.

Specificity means that training should closely match the movements, skills, and physical demands of a particular sport. High-performance athletes practice sport-specific techniques and drills so they can improve the abilities they need in competition, such as the relevant speed, power, coordination, or agility.