AEROBICS

An alarming statistic indicates that more than 60% of people do not exercise regularly. This is surprising because exercise can provide numerous benefits: it can improve muscular endurace , it can help us shaping a pleasant aesthetic appearance ( by the weight loss, fat burning and results appleshaped buttocks, etc. ) it can improve cardiovascular system, it increases energy, it reduces the effect of stress and so, it can improve the well -being and raise the self - esteem.

Regular physical activities are very important for the health and well being of people. Vigorous or moderate exercises can be beneficial for all individuals. Unfortunately, despite scientifically proven positive effects (Butler. et al.), during last decades a decay in regular physical activities was observed. According to the U.S. Department of Health, half of American youths aged 12-21 years are not performing any vigorous exercises. Furthermore, four out of ten adults have a sedentary lifestyle, defined as no leisure-time physical activity during a period of two weeks. Apart from leading to chronic diseases, physical inactivity has economic consequences as well. That is why early education should point out the benefits of a healthy life-style, that includes physical activity as a component of daily life.

Several physical activities, including walking, cycling, swimming or aerobics are available for the general public. Being invented at the beginning of the sixties by K. Cooper, aerobic exercises include a wide range of exercises performed at moderate levels of intensity, while maintaining an increased hearth-rate. Their popularity was very high in the eighties, when celebrities like Jane Fonda helped promote this type of exercises.

This thesis investigates the advantages of aerobics as a form of physical exercise. After presenting its evolution, the structure and main objectives of aerobics sessions are given. Several types of modern exercises, ranging from high to low impact, are described. The positive effects of aerobics upon the physical as well as on mental health are introduced. It has been proven that apart from sustaining good health, improving force, flexibility and regulating metabolism, aerobics have positive psychological effects, by improving one's self belief. Being a group activity, the social effect is also present, participating in aerobics involves meeting new people or old friends and improves self esteem by feeling as part of a group. Not to be neglected, it can correct several eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia by giving a different perspective on a person's self-image.

Associated with a healthy eating style, aerobics can aid in loosing weight, regular exercises burn calories effectively and also increase the basal metabolic rate. Additional health benefits include: strengthening the muscles involved in respiration, strengthening the heart muscle thus improving its pumping efficacy and implicitly reducing the resting heart rate, toning muscles and increasing the number of blood cells which leads to an improved oxygen transport through the body.

The mechanics of aerobic exercise require that oxygen be brought in the lungs and transferred to the blood vessels.Oxygen rich blood is then pumped by the heart to the muscles. The muscles utilize oxygen for muscle contraction. Any exercise that incorporates large muscle groups, raises the heart rate and body temperature is aerobic in nature. Examples of aerobic activity include: running, biking, walking, jogging.

Benefits:

• Increases cardiorespiratory and cardiovascular system outputs
• Strengthens heart
• Improves circulation by clearing out cholesterol build up
• Decreases resting heart rate
• Decreases blood pressure
• Increases blood oxygen level
• Body adapts to burn fat as primary fuel source
• Reduces stress levels
• Tones muscles
• Improved balance and posture
• Increases flexibility, reducing injury

Today, more and more people are concerned with their health and fitness. Age is no barrier to exercise and its benefits. The more a person exercise, the better his chance to outlive peers.

The problems of aging, such as increased body fat, decreased muscular strength and flexibility, lower metabolism and more others, can be minimized or even prevented by exercise.

Exercise helps with weight loss and weight maintenance by building muscle tissue. The aerobic exercise burn fat; with regular exercise, the calories burnt should more than make up for any slight increase in appetite.

So, start slowly when you begin cross training ...

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