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Introduction to Aerobic Exercise

© Soumy Ana

Doing aerobics regularly can decisively improve your heart rate, you body condition, and your state of mind. Over 20 years of research has shown that aerobic exercise is one of the best exercises you can do since it is a safe and complete work out, as well as a fun sport to do.

Aerobics conditions your heart and lungs, help you use oxygen more efficiently and help control weight and reduce stress. A regular aerobics program gives you a sense of responsibility and the assurance of being in control of your body, which are two positive mental attitudes that are necessary to help reduce stress. Aerobics helps relax tense muscles, and a regular aerobics activity increases the body's production of endorphins (a natural sedative) and catecholamines (chemical substances that help stabilize moods). So, aerobics can makes you feel happy.

So, What is Aerobic?

"Aerobic" means literally "with oxygen" in opposition to "anaerobic," which means without or with little oxygen. In order to understand what aerobic and anaerobic systems do in the human body, we must explain first what role they play during exercising.

There are three energy systems in the body that provide the muscles with enough energy to do any physical activity. There are two anaerobic systems and one aerobic system. The anaerobic systems are used for high intensity exercise. One is used by the body for fast and quick physical bursts sustained no more than 15 to 20 seconds: sprinting, jumping, throwing, kicking & lifting heavy weights. It has the capacity to deliver energy immediately since it relies entirely on chemical sources of fuel.

The second anaerobic system relies on glucose, the usable form of carbohydrates in the body. It provides energy for types of exercise that result in tiredness after 45 to 90 seconds of activity. Shorter, more intense exercises would rely on the first anaerobic system.

The third system of energy is the aerobic energy system (AES). The word "aerobic" means that your body is using oxygen to supply energy required for low to moderate intensity physical activities that are constant, such as biking, jogging, skiing, dance aerobic, or brisk walking.

Think: When you are running, you have to inhale oxygen from the air constantly, don't you? This oxygen passes through your blood and reaches the muscles. Of course, this process takes some time. On the contrary, anaerobic exercise uses up what is available as fast as possible.

The body's aerobic system works like an old water pump. In order to see the water reaching the surface, you need to start the pump a number of times with moderate force until you can reach the necessary result. Aerobic exercise plays the same role in your body; it pumps the fat from deep inside your body.

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