Benefits of Aerobic Conditioning
(A few good reasons to move around a bit more)

Compiled by Dr. Michael Olpin

CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS

1. Increase in the diameter of the blood vessels
   1. allows blood to move through the blood vessels more easily
   2. decreases the blood pressure during rest
   3. decreases chance for blood clots to completely block blood flow
      
2. Increase in Cardiac Output which is characterized by the following:
   1. Increase in the amount of blood ejected from the heart with each beat
      1. gets more oxygen and nutrients into the cells throughout the body
   2. Increase in blood flow to the muscles
      1. up to 88% of blood flows to muscles during higher intensity aerobic activity
   3. Increase strength of contraction of the heart muscle
      1. the heart doesn't have to work so hard to do the same amount of work
         
3. Decrease resting heart rate (as much as 10 bpm)
   1. heart does not have to work as hard or as often
   2. decrease your heart rate by 10 bpm and your heart beats 5,256,000 fewer beats during one year
      1. That adds up to 262,800,000 beats saved over the next 50 years
         
4. Decrease in maximal output heart rate
   1. heart doesn't have to work as hard to do the same amount of work at all levels of intensity
      
5. Increase in the size of the chambers of the heart
   1. heart is much stronger
      
6. Increase in Stroke Volume which is characterized by a decrease in the heart rate and an increase in the strength of heart contraction
   1. Stroke volume is the volume of blood ejected per beat
   2. heart does not have to work as hard to do the same amount of work
      
7. Decrease in vulnerability to dysrhythmias (abnormal heart beats) of the electrical conduction in the heart
   1. The heart is more likely to beat normally
      
8. Decrease in blood pressure
   1. Decrease in resting systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure
   2. Decrease in both mean and diastolic pressure during maximal work
      
9. Decrease in peripheral resistance
   
10. Increase in the number of red blood cells
    1. This provides more oxygen carrying capacity to the cells
       1. red blood cells deliver the oxygen through the blood from the lungs to all the cells
          
11. Increase in capillarization characterized by a decrease in surface area within capillaries
    1. increases the transport of nutrients and oxygen into the cells from the blood vessels
    2. More capillaries means more places for nutrients to pass out of the blood into cells
       
12. Helps blood vessels retain their flexibility
    1. tends to keep blood pressure lower
       
13. Enhances both the clotting and the anti clotting mechanisms
    1. After exercise blood clots faster, and almost contradictorily, blood also unclots faster
       1. results in reduced risk of Atherosclerosis
    2. A substance called plasminogen is converted into plasmin to help dissolve clots. To activate the plasminogen so that it becomes plasmin, the cells that line the blood vessels produce a substance called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Fit people produce more tPA than unfit people.
       
14. Increases the blood hemoglobin levels which transport Oxygen to the muscle and transport Carbon Dioxide (waste matter) to the lungs (to be exhaled)
    1. much more efficient use of inhaled air to use the oxygen so you can do more work without getting tired
       
15. Expands blood plasma volume
    
16. Increases the strength of cardiac tissue
    1. stronger heart means it lasts longer and works better
       
17. Increases anaerobic threshold
    1. Allows you to work or exercise longer at a higher level before a significant build up of lactic acid
       
18. Increases efficiency of blood coagulation (hemoconcentration)
    1. Injuries resulting in bleeding will stop bleeding sooner
       
19. Increases total blood volume (up to 25%)
    1. More blood means more oxygen carried to cells and organs
       
20. Decreases existing plaque buildup along the walls of arteries
    
21. Reduces the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure)
    
22. Reduces the rate and severity of medical complications associated with hypertension
    
23. Offsets some of the negative side-effects of certain antihypertensive drugs

24. Increases the amount of blood that goes to the brain (presented at the 2003 meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in New Orleans)

    1. marked by a higher brain capillary volume
    2. exercisers were reported to be "more aroused, alert and engaged" in the study comparing exercisers with non-exercisers.
       
25. Increases respiratory muscle strength and muscle endurance
    1. this is particularly important for asthmatics
       
26. Increase in capillary density near skeletal and cardiac muscle characterized by
    1. an increase in myoglobin stores
    2. an increase in the number of capillaries surrounding muscle tissue
    3. an increase in mitochondrial "reticulum."
    4. an increase in size and number of mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
       1. allows more oxygen to be absorbed into the muscle cells
       2. transports more nutrients to the tissues
       3. permits greater levels of aerobic work
27. Decreases levels of the protein known as C-reactive protein (CRP) in the body.  Evidence shows that people with high levels of this protein appear to have a higher than average risk of cardiovascular disease. A recent study suggested that testing for CRP could be an even better predictor of heart attack than high cholesterol. SOURCE: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology 2002;22:1869-1876.
    
28. Thins the blood
    1. heart does not have to work as hard
       
29. Reduces risk of having a stroke
    
30. Improves the likelihood of surviving a myocardial infarction (heart attack)
    
31. Decreases overall risk of heart disease
    1. Probably more than any other single factor

BODY FUNCTIONS/METABOLISM

1. The liver functions more efficiently to promote the following benefits:
   
2. Increases HDL
   1. The "good cholesterol" which helps break down and move fats through the blood. This is found to be protective against some heart diseases
      
3. Decreases LDL
   1. The "bad cholesterol" which tends to form plaque in the walls of coronary arteries which may lead to cardiovascular diseases
      
4. Helps reduce the amount of insulin required to control blood sugar levels
   1. If you are a type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic
      
5. Decreases risk of type II diabetes (American Journal of Epidemiology)

   1. regardless of age or weight

6. Increases tissues' responsiveness to the actions of insulin
   1. Improves tissue sensitivity for insulin
   2. helps control blood sugar
      1. important for those with type II diabetes
         
7. Increases the body's ability to utilize fat as an energy source during physical activity
   1. "Spares glycogen" so the levels of glycogen stores aren't depleted as quickly. This results in the ability to do work for longer periods of time. You don't "hit the wall" during long periods of activity
   2. Increases the body's ability to release fat stores
   3. less chance of ketosis
      
8. Decreases total blood triglycerides
   1. This will further decrease one's chance of heart problems
      
9. Decreases percentage of body fat
   1. This takes some strain off weight bearing joints
   2. This decreases risk of hypertension
   3. This allows one to move more easily through any activity
   4. This usually gives one an increase in their self image and a sense of control
      
10. Reduces level of abdominal obesity
    1. This is a significant health-risk factor
       
11. Protects against "creeping obesity"
    1. the slow but steady weight gain that occurs as one ages
       
12. Allows consumption of greater quantities of food and still maintain caloric balance
    
13. Decreases the recovery time from work
    1. Can begin next task sooner after working out
    2. Don't feel as sore as long
       
14. Increases the number of enzymes involved in aerobic activity
    1. Allows for greater levels of utilization of the nutrients and oxygen taken in by the digestive and respiratory systems which leads to higher energy levels at all work levels
       
15. Increases activity in the Krebs Cycle
    1. This cycle produces the bulk of the energy the muscles need for endurance
       
16. Increases the diffusion of Oxygen capacity in the lungs
    1. Enhances the exchange of oxygen from the lungs to the blood
    2. Increase in surface area of alveoli
    3. Increase in diameter of capillaries, veins, and arteries
    4. This means more oxygen is making it to the cells where it can efficiently produce more energy
       
17. Increases depth of breathing
    1. Not only is this a more relaxing way of breathing, but it also gets more air into the lower parts of the lungs where greater levels of oxygen exchange occur; the lower lobes of the lungs have greater capillarization
    2. This increases the amount of oxygen circulating through the bloodstream
       
18. Decreases resting respiratory rate
    1. More relaxing to breathe this way
       
19. Decreases minute volume (minute ventilation) of lungs for a given workload
    1. This is the volume of air that is breathed into the body each minute
    2. More air intake means more oxygen to all parts of the body
       
20. Increases VO2 max. (up to 10-30%)
    1. This will increase the total amount of work you can do at any workload
       
21. Increases A-VO2 difference
    1. This means more oxygen is being taken from the blood into the cells
    2. Spares glycogen so you don't run out as quickly
       
22. Decreases energy expenditure for a given workload
    1. The body uses what resources it has more efficiently such as the nutrients it takes in and the overall oxygen use.
       
23. Helps maintain resting metabolic rate
    
24. Increases the body's ability to remove waste products
    1. Digestive system works better
    2. Waste matter doesn't sit and ferment in the intestines
    3. lymphatic system moves more which results in more destruction of potentially harmful matter
       
25. Aids in digestion of food
    1. food is more likely to move through the large and small intestines more quickly
    2. less chance for cancers and other problems to crop up
    3. relieves constipation
       
26. Increases ability to supply blood flow to the skin for cooling
    
27. Increases growth hormone production
    1. increases the efficient use of fats
       
28. Decreases risk of the following cancers (Cancer development - normal ratio 1:3, athletes 1:7)
    1. due to increased levels of inerleukin-1 and interferon and increased numbers of natural killer cells, circulating lymphocytes, granulocytes, and other protective bodies
    1. Colon
    2. Breast
       1. Shown to decrease breast cancer in women by 60%
       2. May cut side effects of breast cancer therapy (Journal of Clinical Oncology 2001; 19:657-665)
    3. Prostate
    4. Uterus
    5. Ovaries (Obstetrics and Gynecology October 2000)
    6. Cervix
    7. Vagina
       
29. Increases efficiency of thyroid gland
    1. This produces hormones which assist in burning energy from carbohydrates
       
30. Helps the body resist upper respiratory tract infections
    
31. Decreases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
    
32. Reduces risk of endometriosis
    1. This is a common cause of infertility
       
33. Increases the body's ability to regulate heat
    
34. Increases the body's ability to adapt to cold environments
    
35. Helps to alleviate certain menstrual symptoms
    1. more regular menstrual cycles
    2. less physical distress associated with menstruation
       
36. Helps decrease the appetite
    1. This is a short term effect only

37.  Helps in managing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (MedicineNet.com 2002-10-21 13:19:17 -0400)

MUSCULOSKELETAL

1. Increases the thickness of cartilage in the joints
   
2. Increases the strength of connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons
   1. This decreases the risk of many injuries to locations such as the knee, ankle, shoulder, etc.
      
3. Increases the size of skeletal muscle (more actin & myosin contractile proteins)
   1. allows for greater strength during a contraction (while flexing)
      
4. Increases overall muscle strength
   
5. Increases overall muscle endurance
   
6. Maintains and increases muscle and joint flexibility
   
7. Slows the rate of joint degeneration if one suffers from osteoarthritis
   
8. Increases bone density (esp. if exercise is weight bearing) by depositing more calcium in the bones
   1. Makes bones much stronger (bones respond to exercise by increasing strength)
   2. Important in decreasing risk of osteoporosis later in life
      1. retards bone loss that comes from the aging process
   3. Provides protection against injury
      
9. Enhances muscle tone and physique
   
10. Improves body posture
    
11. Builds and maintains lean body mass
    1. Increases overall level of muscle strength
       
12. Helps to alleviate low-back pain
    
13. Reduces likelihood of developing low-back problems
    
14. Helps prevent and relieve the stresses that cause carpal tunnel syndrome

15. Reduces the risk of hip fractures in middle-age and elderly (Nurses Health Study)

MENTAL FUNCTION