AEROBIC EXERCISES- Definition, benefits and examples.

Aerobic Exercises- Definition:

Aerobic exercises are physical exercises of low to high intensity that primarily depends on the aerobic energy-generating processes. Aerobic literally means involvement of excess oxygen to fill up the quick energy requirement by the body during exercises via aerobic metabolism.

Normally, these exercises can be performed from low intensity to gradually increase the intensity.
The best examples of aerobic exercises are medium to long-distance running or jogging, swimming, cycling and walking. These exercises are well known for increasing the cardio muscular activities and hence increasing blood circulation throughout the body.

Aerobic vs Anaerobic exercises:

These two types of exercises generally differ by the duration and intensity of muscular contractions involved, as well as by how energy is generated within the muscle.
According to the recent researches, both aerobic and anaerobic exercises promote the secretion of myokines, which provides benefits including growth of new tissue, tissue repair, and various anti-inflammatory functions, which in turn reduces the development of various inflammatory diseases.
Myokines are usually secreted due to muscle contraction.

Aerobic exercises stimulate the heart rate and breathing to increase but not so much that one can't sustain. Aerobic means "with oxygen" and anaerobic means "without oxygen". Anaerobic exercise is the type where you get out of breath in just a few moments, for example, lifting heavy weights, sprinting, or climbing a long flight of stairs.

While dancing, swimming, biking, walking, kick-boxing, performing cardio using machines in gym(treadmill, elliptical, bike, etc) are examples of aerobic exercises; but they can be anaerobic if they are performed very intensely.

Aerobic Exercises- Benefits:

Aerobic exercises have a large number of benefits. According to the researches, Aerobic exercises hold the greatest number of benefits as compared to any other type of exercise. The different benefits of aerobic exercises are:
- Habitual practice of these exercises may lead to a gradual increase in the total number of red blood cells in the human body, facilitating better transport of oxygen throughout the body.
- It results in improved mental health, also helps in reducing stress and reducing the incidence of depression.
- It also helps in reducing the risk of diabetes as performing aerobic exercises may lead to a decrease in fat levels.
- Aerobic exercises also help in improving circulation efficiency and reducing blood pressure.
- It also helps in strengthening the muscle involved in respiration.
- Performing aerobic exercises can also help in increasing body flexibility and strengthening the muscles involved in performing these exercises, for example, legs and core being trained while running, cycling and cardio exercises.
- Aerobic exercises also help in the increased storage of energy molecules such as fats and carbohydrates within the muscles.
- It also helps in increasing the ability of muscles to use fats during exercises.
- Aerobic exercises also help in lower muscular development, for example, thigh growth by cycling.

Most of the aerobic exercises involve full body workout rather than isolated workouts.

Aerobic Exercises- Examples:

The best examples of Aerobic Exercises include cardio related exercises, running, jogging, jumping, cycling, swimming, etc.