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Beginning an aerobic exercise program
-If you are beginning an aerobic training program, start with:
-Five minutes of warmup.
-Five minutes of aerobic training activity.
-Five minutes
of cooldown.
-Repeat the routine three or four times a week. Gradually add time to the aerobic training portion, working up to at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise in each session.
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How often should I train? How hard? For how long?
-Most experts believe that 3-5 times per week for a duration of 20-60 minutes at 60-90% of age specific maximal heart rate or 50-85% of VO2max (h
eart rate reserve).
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A program of regular aerobic exercise can help you avoid chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. It can also lower blood pressure, build stronger bones
, improve muscle strength and flexibility, lessen depression and help control your weight. Aerobic exercise includes walking, running, hiking, bicycling, swimming, cross-country skiing, stair climbing
, rowing, aerobic dance and many other activities.
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Safe and effective aerobic training guidelines include frequency, intensity and time (FIT):
Frequency: Exercise at least three times a week.
Intensity: Exercise hard enough to reach your targe
t heart rate. (Take your pulse immediately when you stop exercising, count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply the number by four.)
Time: Include at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise in each
session.
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Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
-Increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)
-Improvement in cardivascular/cardiorespiratory function (heart and lungs)
-Increased maximal cardiac output (amo
unt of blood pumped every minute)
-Increased maximal stroke volume (amount of blood pumped with each beat)
-Increased blood volume and ability to carry oxygen
-Reduced workload on the hear
t (myocardial oxygen consumption) for any given submaximal exercise intensity
-Increased blood supply to muscles and ability to use oxygen
-Lower heart rate and blood pressure at any level of
submaximal exercise
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There are several types of aerobic exercise that are gentle on the back and, when done on a regular basis, highly effective in providing conditioning.
-Walking for exercise. In general, walking for
exercise is very gentle on the back, and walking two to three miles three times per week is very helpful for patients.
-Stationary bicycling for exercise. If walking is painful, stationary bicycli
ng is also effective and may be less stressful on the back.
-Water therapy for exercise. Doing exercise in the water provides for effective conditioning while minimizing stress on the back
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