Right after the introduction you will read a part of an article I found while doing reseach for this post. If that bit of information doesn´t get your attention that I don’t know what will. After reading this part of the article and the interest shown to the article I wrote about 10 benefits of weight training, I decided to write an article about the benefits of cardiovascular
The number one cause of death of men and women in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD). In the year 2000 alone, CAD claimed the lives of nearly 1 million people in the U.S., killing 500,000 women and more than 400,000 men. Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives each year than the next five leading causes of death – combined. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor with regard to CAD. According to the American Heart Association’s most recent heart disease and stroke statistics (published in 2003), more than 38% of all Americans 18 years of age or older reported no physical activity. Perhaps not surprisingly, the AHA report stated that more than 47% of adults in the United States are considered overweight.
1. Increased heart rate and efficient lungs
The increased heart rate you have during your workout will improve your heart and lungs. Your heart will pump more blood with fewer beats and your lungs will transport more oxygen with less effort. It’s recommended doing 3 to 5 sessions per week and each session should take anywhere from 25 minutes up to an hour.
2. A raised metabolism
Just like weight training, cardio exercises will raise your metabolism. After you’re done with your exercises, your metabolism will be raised for hours after your done, meaning you will burn more calories without extra effort.
3. Fat burning
Cardio exercises will burn fat. The fat will be burned while you are doing the exercises. The energy you spend doing the exercise will cause the fat to be burned. Also your higher metabolism will burn extra calories hours after you’re done with your cardio exercises.
4. Immune system
Cardiovascular exercises can improve your immune system. By having a better immune system it will be more difficult for you to catch a cold or any other viral diseases for that matter.
5. Muscle mass
Not only are cardio exercises good for your heart and lungs, they are also good to increase your muscle mass. Doing cardio sessions for 25 to 60 minutes a sessions and 3 to 5 sessions a week will also help you help you increase your muscle mass. So next time you’re doing cardio exercises, don’t think it’s only to improve your cardiovascular condition, you’ll build muscle mass as well.
6. Skeletal system
By weight-bearing activities such as jogging and fast walking you can strengthen your skeletal system. Having a stronger skeletal system will reduce the risk of osteoporosis and it will help you slow down the progress of this disease.
7. Age
The New England Journal of Medicine has found a direct link between regular exercise and longevity. Meaning people who do cardio sessions for 25 to 60 minutes a sessions and 3 to 5 sessions a wee will more likely to live longer and get older.
8. Diabetes
Cardio exercises, aerobic exercises to be more precise, are often a part of a treatment program for diabetics whose blood sugar is well controlled. Aerobic exercises will increase the sensitivity of the cells to insulin, so diabetics who exercise regularly require less insulin to effectively regular blood sugar levels.
9. Diseases
Cardiovascular exercise is often a major component of the therapy for those who have suffered a heart attack and for those who are at high risk for coronary artery disease. Three of the primary risk factors for developing coronary artery disease are high blood pressure (hypertension), smoking and high blood cholesterol. Cardiovascular exercise can play a significant role in reducing risk associated with these three factors.
10. Self-esteem
And the last benefit of cardiovascular exercises, self-esteem. Just like I mentioned in my post about the benefits of weight training exercises. After all the hard work you will feel better, look better, you’ll be more confident, you’ll live longer, live healthier and so on and so on. It looks like there is no end to the benefits of cardiovascular exercises.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I find your blog boring,I don’t think you are telling the truth.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:45 pm