Aerobic Exercise & Metabolism

Aerobic exercise offers many health benefits; it decreases your risk of certain diseases, improves mood and stamina, and can promote weight loss by increasing your metabolism. Aerobic exercise affects the total number of calories you burn each day as well as your overall metabolic rate.

Aerobic Exercise

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, aerobic exercise is any activity that engages large muscle groups and can be sustained continuously. It is a form of exercise that taxes the heart and lungs and causes them to work more than they do at rest. There are many types of aerobic exercise you can choose from. If you are a member of a gym, you can use the treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike or stair stepper. But you don't have to join a gym to get in your aerobic exercise. You can jog or walk outside, swim, ride a bicycle, jump rope, even dance.

Correlations

Your metabolism refers to of all of your body's biochemical processes that enable you to sustain life. Your metabolic rate is that at which your body burns energy or calories. This rate depends on the amount of body fat you have in relation to the amount of lean mass you have. According to a study done by J. Andrew Doyle, Ph.D at Georgia State University, when you engage in regular aerobic exercise your body fat levels decrease, thus increasing your metabolic rate.

Guidelines

For adults under age 65, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends aerobic exercise at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes, five days a week, or aerobic exercise at a vigorous intensity for 20 minutes, three days a week. To lose weight or maintain weight loss, 60 to 90 minutes of aerobic exercise may be necessary.

Considerations

To do aerobic exercise safely and reap all of the benefits, you should take some precautions. Consult with your physician before beginning any physical activity if you have chronic health conditions or symptoms. You should choose activities that are within your current fitness level and increase activity gradually to allow your body to adapt to the new program.

Aerobic Exercise & Metabolism