Why Is Aerobic Exercise Important?

There are about 715,000 heart attack cases in the United States each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes. The sad truth is that many of these cases could have been avoided through regular aerobic exercise. Doing aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes five days weekly helps promote good health and lower the risk of cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association notes. This is one reason aerobic exercise is such a vital lifestyle component.

  1. Strengthens the Heart and Respiratory Function

    • Aerobic exercise makes the heart stronger. The heart is more efficiently able to deliver blood throughout the body. This means more efficient nutrient delivery and waste removal for various parts of the body. Aerobic exercise also helps strengthen and improve respiratory function. More efficient lungs means oxygen is more readily available for the body’s needs.

    Better Stamina, Mood and Cognitive Function

    • Getting regular aerobic exercise helps improve stamina and endurance. The body gradually becomes more resilient to fatigue the more it is exercised. Aerobic exercise also helps lift overall mood and disposition. Regular aerobic exercise can lower cholesterol levels, keeping blood vessels clear of potential blockages. Aerobic exercise also boosts the immune system, making the body more resistant to minor illnesses.

    Frequency and Duration

    • Getting 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise per week helps keep people healthy, the American Heart Association notes. People have the option of breaking up their exercise time into two or three 15- or 10-minute sessions throughout the day. This is because doing shorter but more frequent sessions throughout the day burns the same amount of calories as a full 30-minute session.

    Lowers Risk of Chronic Disease

    • Engaging in aerobic exercise helps lower the risk of chronic disease, NYTimes Health Guide notes. Aerobics helps keep the arteries elastic because it lowers cholesterol buildup. This significantly lowers the risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Regular aerobic exercise can also lower blood pressure. As such, aerobics significantly lowers the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and stroke. People who engage in regular aerobics also have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, MayoClinic.com notes.