The Intriguing Effects Of Cardio!

If there were any benefits to the lockdown, it would be the fact that it was long enough to push Lagosians to come out every morning and “run miles”.

Cardiovascular exercises are exercises that simply put, raise your heart rate.

Your respiratory and cardiovascular systems work together to transport oxygen around your body and to your organs, and regular exercise strengthens not only these systems but the organs in the systems.

The recommended amount of exercise is 150 minutes per week, which can be broken into 3 activities of 10 minutes per day which will equal 30 minutes of some sort of work out every day.

The benefits of exercise are not just skin deep. Exercising can have a dramatic effect on not only your fitness level but your overall health. 

Below is a list of reasons you should be putting work into that workout.

1) Cardio strengthens your heart – Regular exercise strengthens the muscles of your heart and increases its size. When you exercise, your heart rate increases and pumps more oxygenated blood than it normally would with fewer beats. Your heart, therefore, becomes more efficient. 

2) Increased energy – When you exercise regularly, you realize that your stamina improves. This happens due to a rise in metabolism and mitochondria. Mitochondria are the parts of your cells that convert fat and carbs into fuel that your muscles use.

3) Weightloss and fitness – Burning more fat than you take in is important for weight loss. When you do regular cardio, you increase the amount of fat your body burns. Your metabolism also improves and helps in faster digestion.

4) Improves sleep quality and quantity – Restlessness in sleep is sometimes caused by depression and anxiety. Exercise helps reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety, through the release of endorphins and dopamine, which negates the symptoms of insomnia. Plus, you’d be tired anyway.

5) Reduces the risk of certain diseases – A stronger heart and a better respiratory and cardiovascular system means a healthier body. Production of certain enzymes that are released when you work out helps develop the prefrontal cortex and other areas of your brain, which leads to protection from degenerative terminal illnesses.

6) Conditions your brain – The most complex organ in your body is your brain. Regular exercise can condition your brain to be happier through the release of “the feel-good hormone” dopamine. It improves memory and concentration and your brain’s reaction time. A single workout can improve your brain’s ability to shift and focus attention.