Which component of motor fitness is associated with quick changes in direction?

Agility is the component of motor fitness that specifically pertains to the ability to make quick and coordinated movements while changing direction effectively. This skill is essential in various physical activities and sports, where rapid shifts from one movement to another are required.

Agility involves not only speed but also balance and coordination, allowing an individual to maintain control during quick directional changes. It is crucial for performance in activities like basketball, soccer, and gymnastics, where athletes often must maneuver quickly and skillfully around opponents or obstacles.

In contrast, the other options represent different aspects of physical fitness. Speed pertains to how fast one can move in a straight line, muscular endurance relates to how long a muscle can sustain a contraction, and body composition refers to the ratio of fat to lean mass in the body. While these are important to overall fitness, they do not specifically address the capacity to change directions rapidly, which defines agility.