Aerobic Exercise
by
Laurie LaRusso, MS, ELS
The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise TOPIn aerobic exercise, you continually move large muscle groups. This action causes you to breathe more deeply and your heart to work harder to pump blood. This strengthens your heart and lungs. There is strong evidence that the health benefits associated with regular exercise include:
Examples of Aerobic Exercise TOPAerobic exercises include:
Getting Started TOPBefore starting an exercise program, check with your doctor about any possible medical problems. This is especially important if you have a chronic condition. If you are new to exercise, consider making an appointment with a certified athletic trainer to help you develop a safe, effective, and enjoyable exercise program. You can find a trainer at a local gym or through a referral from your doctor or a friend. RecommendationsThe United States Department of Health and Human Services offers these exercise guidelines for adults:
Older adults should follow the same guidelines as adults, but should also keep the following in mind:
Children and adolescents have the following key guidelines regarding aerobic activity:
TipsTips for getting started:
RESOURCES:American College of Sports Medicine http://www.acsm.org American Council on Exercise http://www.acefitness.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology http://www.csep.ca Health Canada https://www.canada.ca References:2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed October 11, 2017. Physical activity and health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated June 4, 2015. Accessed October 11, 2017. Last reviewed October 2017 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Michael Woods, MD, FAAP Last Updated: 11/30/2015 | |
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