Guest guest Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 > How your body improves with increased cardio fitness > Reply-To: fitnessexchange > > The more aerobically fit you become, you'll gain: > > ~ Increased muscle myoglobin content. Myoglobin aids in the delivery > of oxygen from the blood into the mitochondria (the little guys that > burn calories). > > ~ The size & number of mitochondria increase (more calorie burning > potential). > > ~ An increased capacity to oxidize fat. Trained individuals oxidize > more fat & less carb during exercise to spare glycogen, which means > less lactic acid production and therefore less muscle fatigue and > greater endurance. > > ~ An increase in slow-twitch muscle fibers. They generate more energy > in the presence of oxygen, have high numbers of mitochondria and a > good capillary supply (better blood flow and oxygen delivery). > The proportion of slow-twitch to fast-twitch fibers each person has > is set at birth, but with regular aerobic training, the size of slow- > twitch fibers can be increased. > > ~ Heart size increases, occurring gradually over months. The left and > right ventricular cavities expand with a proportional increase in the > thickness of the walls & septum. > > ~ Resting heart rate decreases. One beat per minute for every 1 to 2 > weeks of aerobic training for 10 to 20 weeks. Further decreases occur > when intensity is increased. > > ~ Stroke volume increases. More blood is pumped per beat. > > ~ Total blood volume increases by 20-25%. This adaptation is gained > after only a few bouts of exercise and is quickly reversed when > training ceases. > > ~ Increased capillary density. > > (Maximal exercise allows a greater amount of oxygen consumption, > higher maximal ventilation. Oxygen diffuses from lungs to blood more > readily, increases blood flow to active muscles and increases your > ability to tolerate lactic acid). > > ~ Decreased body fat. > > ~ Increased HDL cholesterol (good kind)and decreased triglyceride > levels. > > ~ Greater tolerance of hot/humid weather. > > ~ Increased density and breaking strength of bone, ligaments and > tendons, and an increase in the thickness of cartilage in the joints. > > > > * Stacie * > > > ---------- > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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