Thanks to the folks at Dynamax, below we have listed the ten general physical skills that every athlete should strive to become competent in. See also CrossFit Journal #2.
1. Cardiovascular/Respiratory Endurance - The ability of body systems to gather, process, and deliver oxygen.
2. Stamina - The ability of body systems to process, deliver, store, and utilize energy.
3. Strength - The ability of a muscular unit, or combination of muscular units, to apply force.
4. Flexibility - The ability to maximize the range of motion of a given joint.
5. Power - The ability of a muscular unit, or combination of muscular units, to apply maximum force in minimum time.
6. Speed - The ability to minimize the time cycle of a repeated movement.
7. Coordination - The ability to combine several distinct movement patterns into a singular distinct movement.
8. Agility - The ability to minimize transition time from one movement pattern to another.
9. Balance - The ability to control the body's center of gravity in relation to its support base.
10. Accuracy - The ability to control a movement in a given direction or at a given intensity.
Cardiorespiratory endurance, stamina, strength, and flexibility can be improved through training. Training brings about measurable, organic changes in the body, which you can think of as changing one's "hardware". Coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy can be improved through practice. Practice brings about changes in the body's neurological system, or the body's "software". Power and Speed can be improved by a combination of training and practice.
