Cardiovascular (Aerobic) Exercise
Cardiovascular (CV) exercise is also known as Aerobic exercise. Aerobic means "with oxygen". The opposite of aerobic is anaerobic; which means without oxygen. Types of anaerobic exercise would be a sprint, weight lifting, most sporting events (baseball, football). Anaerobic activity requires quick bursts of energy. Aerobic activity requires you to perform sustained exercise over an extended period of time (i.e., marathon, certain swimming events, exercise classes, etc.).
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise as "any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature." It is a type of exercise that overloads the heart and lungs and causes them to work harder than at rest. The important idea behind aerobic exercise today, is to get up and get moving!! There are more activities than ever to choose from, whether it is a new activity or an old one. Find something you enjoy doing that keeps your heart rate elevated for a continuous time period and get moving to a healthier life.
The benefits of aerobic or CV exercise are numerous. Below, I am going to list just some of the benefits for you. I hope you are incorporating some CV exercise as part of your weekly exercise regime.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise as "any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature." It is a type of exercise that overloads the heart and lungs and causes them to work harder than at rest. The important idea behind aerobic exercise today, is to get up and get moving!! There are more activities than ever to choose from, whether it is a new activity or an old one. Find something you enjoy doing that keeps your heart rate elevated for a continuous time period and get moving to a healthier life.
The benefits of aerobic or CV exercise are numerous. Below, I am going to list just some of the benefits for you. I hope you are incorporating some CV exercise as part of your weekly exercise regime.
Benefits of Aerobic Exercise: (per ACSM)
- Improvement in cardiovascular/cardiorespiratory function (heart and lungs)
- Increased maximal cardiac output (amount of blood pumped every minute)
- Increased maximal stroke volume (amount of blood pumped with each beat)
- Increased blood volume and ability to carry oxygen
- Reduced workload on the heart (myocardial oxygen consumption) for any given submaximal exercise intensity
- Increased blood supply to muscles and ability to use oxygen
- Lower heart rate and blood pressure at any level of submaximal exercise
- Increased threshold for lactic acid accumulation
- Lower resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with high blood pressure
- Increased HDL Cholesterol (the good cholesterol)
- Decreased blood triglycerides
- Reduced body fat and improved weight control
- Improved glucose tolerance and reduced insulin resistance
Good luck with your CV exercise routine. If you aren't currently on a CV routine and you would like to, please feel free to contact me or post a comment.
It's good to see those benefits for the cardio exercise, but there is one benefit I have experienced that isn't listed. My stamina in bed increases tremendously when I do cardio workouts.
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