Points regarding Cardio or Aerobic exercises ?

Points regarding Cardio or Aerobic exercises ?

Cardiovascular (cardio) exercise refers to exercise that strengthens the cardiovascular system. Aerobic just means in the presence of oxygen, and aerobic exercise refers to exercise that lasts long enough to require oxygen. The same type of exercise satisfies both of these qualifications, and the terms cardio and aerobic exercise are used interchangeably. Aerobic/cardio exercise uses large muscles, usually the legs, in a rhythmic fashion. Examples are running, walking, bicycling, swimming, cross-country skiing, rowing, skating, and machines such as stair steppers and elliptical trainers.

Warming Up

The best way to warm up for aerobic exercise is to start out doing the same exercise you are going to use for the workout at an easy pace for a few minutes. Then launch into a regular intensity workout. For example, if you're going out for a run, start with easy jogging, or even walking, depending on your fitness level. You may need a longer warm up in the morning or in cold weather.

Importance of Cooling Down

After vigorous aerobic exercise it is important to take 10 minutes or so to cool down gradually. Do not stop abruptly. For example, after a long run or jog, walk around and keep moving, rather than just stopping.

Cooling down properly (moving around) redistributes the blood that may have pooled in the extremities when you end your workout, and it prevents muscle stiffness because it allows the metabolic wastes to be worked out of your muscles.

Breathe Through Your Mouth

To improve your aerobic conditioning, you should work hard enough that you just naturally start breathing through your mouth to get enough oxygen. It is sometimes recommended to breathe only through your nose to minimize effects of air pollution, but this limits the intensity of your workout. Avoid pollution by working out early or indoors, if necessary.

Basic Fitness Routine

If you want to get a decent aerobic workout routine going, do aerobic exercise at least three times a week. During your aerobic workouts, try to keep your heart rate between 60-80 percent of maximum for at least twenty minutes. This will improve your cardiovascular fitness.

Sleep Benefits

Sleep duration and patterns can affect sports training and performance. Most people need 7 or 8 hours of sleep, and your body functions at its best when you have regular sleep patterns, generally sleeping at about the same time every night. So if your workouts, practices, or competitions aren´t going well, consider whether you´re getting enough sleep.

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope can be a good aerobic exercise. For most people it´s pretty vigorous, so intervals may be the best way to go. Warm up with some brisk walking, then jump for two minutes, rest a minute or so, jump two, etc. If you can go longer, do it. Add half a minute to your jumping and/or shorten your rest periods if you want to improve your jumping time and make this one of your main exercises. Make sure to choose a surface that isn't too hard. Like other cardio exercises, work at a pace where you´re breathing a little hard but can still talk.

Talk Test

If you don´t want to take your pulse all the time during aerobic exercise, apply the talk test to see if you´re in your training heart rate range. You should be breathing heavier than normal, but still be able to carry on a conversation. Don't push yourself, though--you want to be able to talk but not sing.

Stair Running

Running up stairs is a time-honored way to improve aerobic conditioning. Take them 2 at a time if you're athletic and consider them to be part of your interval training. Even if you're new to exercise, you can benefit from walking up stairs whenever you get a chance. The calories burned will add up, and your conditioning will improve. If you have trouble finding time to exercise, take 10 minutes once or twice a day and walk up and down stairs at work (or before or after). Hold on to the rail if you need to.

Improving Fitness

People who have higher cardiorespiratory fitness have fewer cardiovascular risk factors than people who are less fit, even if the less fit are equally or more active. This means you should improve your cardio (aerobic) fitness by challenging yourself instead of always doing the same workout. Move up a level on your bike or stair stepper, or try interval training: work hard for 2 or 3 minutes, then recover slowly for the same time. On the track, run a lap briskly followed by a slow lap. Do 4-8 intervals after a warm up once or twice a week instead of your regular workout, as a change of pace.

Dr Marwah