Aerobic exercise

From ArticleWorld

Aerobic exercise is any exercise performed for an extended amount of time that raises one’s heart rate. For example, long distance or cross-country running is considered to be an aerobic workout, sprints and hurdles are not. The extended amounts of time coupled with moderate to high intensity are the keys to aerobic exercise.

Health benefits

In the 1960’s Dr. Kenneth Cooper promoted aerobic exercise as a way to prove his theory of Training Effect. Sustained amounts of callisthenic and cardiovascular exercises, often attributed to aerobic exercise, will effectively raise one’s metabolic rate, thereby increasing one’s heart rate thus increase respiratory function. Increased respiratory function preludes the body’s ability to tine muscle mass, improve circulation and increase the transportation of red blood cells and oxygen throughout the body. In addition, regular aerobic activity is proven to decrease instances of osteoporosis.

Downside

Sometimes, intense aerobic workouts include high impact exercises. Some people develop stress fractures, pull muscles and ligaments and damaged tissue as a result of the high impact. These injuries become repetitious due to the repetitious nature of aerobics. Those with such injuries are cautioned to switch to a lower intensity, lower impact level of aerobic exercise.

Mass market

Since the 1970’s many forms of aerobic exercise have been mass-produced. Classes like Jazzercise swept the nation. In the 80’s, Richard Simmons took his aerobics to television and later to VHS. Today, fitness instructors like Billy Blanks and the ladies of The Firm mass-produce videotaped workouts for those who’d rather workout from home.