All exercise requires energy, whether it be lifting a heavy box off the ground, walking up stairs or running a race. The body relies on different types of energy sources when it comes to the type of exercise performed. Aerobic exercise is designed to challenge and improve cardiorespiratory fitness. This form of exercise is typically endurance based and the body requires the consumption of oxygen as a source of fuel to produce energy.
Different types of aerobic exercises include:
- Playing tennis
- Swimming
- Walking
- Bike riding
- Dancing
The cardiorespiratory system is important as it helps to support heart and lung function. It has been shown that through regular participation in aerobic exercise, improvements can be made in muscular endurance, fatigue, shortness of breath and blood pressure. Therefore, regular aerobic exercise participation can help with the prevention and management of many chronic conditions such as:
- COPD
- Heart Disease
- Asthma
- Stroke
The current recommendation for aerobic exercise, as outlined by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) – a respected regulating body for health and exercise guidelines – is 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise 5 days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise 3 days a week. Whilst aerobic exercise is important, the ACSM recommends participating in a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise.
