Musculoskeletal fitness: the keystone in overall well-being and injury prevention.

Musculoskeletal fitness is an important and inadequately appreciated component of overall health and well-being. Wellness as it applies to strength and conditioning has numerous benefits. It allows maintenance of functional independence for longer periods in older adults. It impacts the metabolic capabilities of children and adults affecting the ability to maintain an ideal body weight. It has been shown to influence the prevalence and possibly the prevention of many musculoskeletal disorders such as muscle sprains, low back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, shoulder instability, and knee stability and pain. The current author summarizes the most recent recommendations for achievement and maintenance of musculoskeletal fitness for children and adults.