| Cardio health benefits? |
| Author | Post |
|---|
roxxie
Member
|
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 09:50 pm |
|
Sorry if this has been asked before. I'm just wondering if anyone knows the health benefits to cardio (ie running, biking etc) besides calorie loss; can't you just not eat those calories in the first place?
For example, say you ate 2000 calories in a day and burned 300 doing cardio. Why is this preferable to eating only 1700 calories and not working out? I'm sure there's a benefit, but can anyone explain?
|
Steve Troutman
New Member
| Joined: | 16 Jan 2009 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 12 |
|
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 10:49 pm |
|
Sure, cardio isn't necessary for fat loss. A caloric deficit is.
For optimal results though, I'd recommend a balanced attack including smart/controlled nutrition, cardio and weight training.
Plus, there are certainly benefits extending beyond caloric expenditure related to cardio such as improved cardiorespiratory fitness/endurance, improved cholesterol, improved bone density of the lower body, etc, etc.
|
Nir
Senior Administrator
|
Posted: 17 Jan 2009 04:36 am |
|
From my textbook (for the Level 2 Exercise Fitness Knowlege) "Regular aerobic training helps the body to become more efficient in mobilising, transporting and oxidising fatty acids. This is because the body develops a greater number of mitochondria and fat-oxidising enzymes. Consequently, the body becomes more efficient at burning fat. This is one reason why aerobic exercise can help you control or lose body fat."
Also from the same textbook, 'Summary of benefits of regular cardiovascular training'
Physiological: lung efficiency increases, blood volume increases, red blood cells increase, stroke volume increases, cardiac output increases, resting heart rate decreases, capillarisation increases, mitochondria increase, aerobic enzyme activity increases, muscle endurance increases.
Health-related: CHD risk decreases, blood pressure decreases, bone density increases, body fat decreases, total cholesterol decreases, HDL increases / LDL decreases, stress decreases, self-image improves, self-confidence increases, smoking cessation encouraged.
|
Current time is 07:48 pm | |
|
|
|
