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What factors affect aerobic training?
-Frequency, duration and intensity. Frequency refers to how often you perform aerobic activity, duration refers to the time spent at each session, and intens
ity refers to the percentage of your maximum heart rate or heart rate reserve at which you work.
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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 exer
cise 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.
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How aerobics improve your health
Aerobic exercises use continuous, rhythmic activity of large muscles in the legs and buttocks to strengthen your heart and lungs (cardiovascular system). When you
exercise, the muscles demand more oxygen-rich blood and give off more carbon dioxide and other waste. This makes your heart beat faster to keep up.
When you follow a program of regular aerobic exe
rcise, over time your heart grows stronger and can meet the muscles' demands without as much effort. Both men and women can benefit from cardiovascular fitness. Check with your doctor first if you hav
e a chronic condition or are overweight, a smoker or middle aged or older and have never exercised.
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Types of Aerobic Exercise
-Aerobic Dance
-Bicycling
-Cross Country Skiing
-In-line Skating
-Fitness Walking
-Jumping Rope
-Running
-Stair Climbing
-Swimming
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Beginning an aerobic exercise program
-If you are beginning an aerobic training program, start with:
-Five minutes of warmup.
-Five minutes of aerobic training activity.
-Five minutes
of cooldown.
-Repeat the routine three or four times a week. Gradually add time to the aerobic training portion, working up to at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise in each session.
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How often should I train? How hard? For how long?
-Most experts believe that 3-5 times per week for a duration of 20-60 minutes at 60-90% of age specific maximal heart rate or 50-85% of VO2max (h
eart rate reserve).
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