Cardiovascular Conditioning for Heart Health and Endurance
Earlier we addressed aerobic exercise as a foundation of a fat loss program. Aerobic activity is also called cardiovascular exercise. During this sustained activity the body uses oxygen from the blood as the primary fuel for the muscles. The utilization of oxygen requires that the body adapt itself to more efficiently store and deliver oxygen to the muscles where they are converted to fuel. Therefore both lung capacity and oxygen carriage and storage are increased when cardiovascular activity is performed on a regular basis.In addition, the heart as a muscle is strengthened and its ability to pump blood which carried oxygen is greater. Cardiovascular conditioning, therefore, lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure. Also the “good” cholesterol, HDL, is elevated through aerobic exercise and LDL or “bad” cholesterol is lowered. As a result overall heart and circulatory system health is improved and stamina and endurance increased.
Today cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States, taking more than 900,000 lives each year. Almost one in four Americans are affected by some form of cardiovascular disease.I encourage all clients over 40 years of age and any at risk for coronary or circulatory disease to engage in systematic monitored cardiovascular training programs. Today cardiologists all recommend and facilitate some form of cardiovascular training for recovering heart patients. I will supervise the intensity and duration progress of these programs, making sure that you are working within target heart-rate zones suitable to their age, weight and fitness condition. The goal for this training is generally to work in a range of 60-80 percent of max heart-rate for 20-30 minutes three times a week.
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