SOME MAJOR BENEFITS

• A larger, stronger, and more efficient heart muscle
• Decrease in your resting heart rate
• Increase in your VO₂max
• Healthier blood vessels
• Increase in the number of capillaries in muscle and lungs
• Increase in blood volume and red blood cell (RBC) count
• Decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL)
• Decrease in respiratory rate
• Use up more calories
• Increase in bone strength and density
• Increase in mental benefits

CORONARY HEART DISEASE (CHD)

HEART ATTACK

• Any interference with the flow of blood to the cells of the heart which can affect normal cell activity

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

• General term for various types of arterial problems
• Associated with an increase in the rigidity of the arterial wall (i.e., “hardening of the arteries”)

ATHEROSCLEROSIS

• Disease of the coronary arteries that develops over time due to a deposit of fat, cholesterol, and other substances on the inner lining of the artery
• Plaque narrows the arterial opening and restricts blood flow to vital tissues of the body
• Thrombus is a blood clot resulting from the formation of plaque

CORONARY OCCLUSION

• Narrowing of a coronary blood vessel restricting blood flow

CORONARY THROMBOSIS

• Coronary occlusion caused by a thrombus that blocks the flow of blood to some part of the heart

MYOCARDIAL INFARCT

• Heart attack brought about by an occlusion of blood to the heart muscle

HYPERTENSION

• High blood pressure
• Heart and blood vessel diseases are more common among people with high blood pressure

STROKE

• A form of cardiovascular disease that affects cerebral arteries
• Cerebral infarction can result from a cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism or atherosclerosis

STARTING A CARDIORESPIRATORY PROGRAM

FREQUENCY

• Three to five days per week
• Schedule a time for activity and stick to it
• The benefits of being physically fit will only stay with you as long as you exercise

INTENSITY

• 50% to 90% of maximum heart rate
• 50% to 85% of maximum oxygen uptake

DURATION

• 20-60 minutes of continuous aerobic activity
• dependent on intensity of activity (e.g., lower intensity activity should be conducted over a longer period of time)

MODE

• Any activity that uses large muscle groups, that can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmical and aerobic in nature
• Choose an activity that is fun and enjoyable
• Make sure the activity meets your individual goals and needs

William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)

William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

See Full Bio