Who is the worldâ€™s fittest athlete?

LeBron James has been named the fittest athlete in the world. Source: AP

FORMER Miami Heat basketballer has been named the fittest male athlete in the world by Sports Illustrated.

This is the first time the magazine has compiled the list, in which athletes were rated on speed, strength, agility and endurance.

LeBron James formerly of the Miami Heat dunks against the Washington Wizards Source: Getty Images

Each of those categories were scored out of 10 and James came in with a perfect 40.

"For the professional male athlete (fitness) is the very foundation of success. But even among the pros, some athletes stand head and sculpted shoulders above the rest," Sports Illustrated said.

Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) hangs from the basket after dunking the ball. Source: AP

James's team the Heat reached the NBA final this year but were beaten by the San Antonio Spurs. James has since decided to head home to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers again.

James edged out Real Madrid player Christiano Ronaldo, who scored 38.5 points.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. Source: Getty Images

In third place was Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt (36.5 points).

Jamaica's Usain Bolt poses after winning the men's 4 x 100m relay athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Source: AFP

Boxer Floyd Mayweather (36 points) came in fourth.

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr steps on the scale at a weigh-in ceremony in Las Vegas. Source: AP

Rounding out the top ten was swimmer Michael Phelps on 33 points.