<span>1. </span>Regular
cardiorespiratory exercise will improve
cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, power and resistance and can
prevent certain diseases and disorders such as:
<span>·
</span>age-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovasculardiseases,
some types of cancer, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, depression
<span>·
</span>coronary heart disease, high blood pressure,
metabolic syndrome and stroke from obesity and high cholesterol levels
<span>2. </span>Depression
and heart disease come hand and hand. One has the potential to lead to the
other. Along with high blood pressure and cholesterol, depression is a risk
factor to heart disease. Depressed individuals have sticky platelets and this
can accelerate atherosclerosis.
VO2 Max is the
peak amount of oxygen that the body can consume in one minute per kilogram
(body weight). Heart rate increases with exercise and consequently increases
oxygen delivery to the body. Heart rate and VO2 Max have a dependent relationship and assess an
individual's level of cardiovascular fitness.
<span>3. </span>The
target heart rate is between 55-85% of
the person's maximum heart rate. maximum heart rate can be calculated by
subtracting the age of the individual from 220.
For a 40 year
old man, the maximum rate is 180 beats per minute ( 220 - 40 = 180).
The recommended
target range is 99-153 beats per minute ( 180 x 0.55 = 99 and 180 x 0.85 = 153).
<span>4. </span>Sedentary
lifestyle can shrink and stiffen heart muscle. Varying types of aerobic
exercise may help restore heart health. High and moderate intensity aerobic
training showed significant improvements. It is important, however, not to
exercise too much because it may be bad for the heart.
<span>5. </span>Before
starting on an exercise program, the following tests are advised to take cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Cardiorespiratory Endurance Tests that include Metabolic
equivalents (METs), VO2 tests, Submaximal exercise tests that include the
Astrand Treadmill Test, the 2.4 kilometer run Test, and the Multistage bleep Test.
The Cooper 1.5 walk-run Test can also be included for couch potatoes.