Cardiovascular exercises
Cardiovascular exercise, often referred to as "cardio," is a type of physical activity that primarily focuses on increasing your heart rate and breathing rate, thereby improving the health and efficiency of your cardiovascular system. This type of exercise is essential for enhancing cardiovascular health, burning calories, and improving endurance. Cardiovascular exercises involve rhythmic, continuous movements that engage large muscle groups and elevate your heart rate. Here are some key characteristics and examples of cardiovascular exercises
Running and jogging:
Jogging or running is a popular form of physical activity. About one in 5 Australians try running (or jogging) at some stage in their life. Running is an appealing exercise because it doesn't cost a lot to take part and you can run at any time that suits you.
Health benefits of running and jogging:
- Regular running or jogging offers many health benefits. Running can:
- help to build strong bones, as it is a weight bearing exercise
- strengthen muscles
- improve cardiovascular fitness
- burn plenty of kilojoules
- help maintain a healthy weight
- An inactive lifestyle is associated with higher mortality, coronary artery disease, hypertension and stroke. It is also a primary cause of most chronic diseases, as the body rapidly adapts to insufficient physical activity which results in substantially reduced quality of life.
- Regular physical activity such as running can significantly improve mental health, self-confidence, healthy ageing, and quality of life.
Swimming:
- Swimming is one of the most popular sports in Australia. Our nation is surrounded by water and swimming is one of our great passions.
- As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and make friends.
- Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue for a lifetime. It is a low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits
- Health benefits of swimming
- Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water.
- Swimming is a good all-round activity because it:
- keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body
- builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
- helps you maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs
- tones muscles and builds strength
- provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are used during swimming.
