Fitness
Many things contribute to fitness and well being but the most important factor is the condition of your heart and lungs and
how efficient they are in delivering oxygen via your blood to your muscles.
Your muscle use this oxygen to provide enough energy for daily activity.
This is called aerobic activity (with oxygen).
When you are fit your heat and lungs work well and efficiently.
This means your heart will not have to work so hard. It will pump a lot fewer times per minute so reducing the werar and tear
on your heart.
This in turm reduces the chances of your suffering heart disease.
Fitness also helps you control your weight and reduces the effects of aging and stress.
You com across the need for fitness continually in everyday life.
When you are fit you can walk briskly up hills and stairs without being too out of breath once at the top you recover quickly.
As you can see there are great advantages in being fit.
How to improve your fitness
Like any muscle in your body your heart can be strengthened by systematic physical exercise which requires an increased blood
flow and heart rate.
You can measure your heart rate by taking a pulse reading.
Your heart of pulse rate corresponds directly to your exertion level and exercise efficiency.
To improve your fitness in a safe and effective way you need to exercise at a high enough level to improve your aerobic fitness.
The area between these 2 levels is called the
target zone
.
It is important to exercise at the right intensity to stay within this zone.
For the best results you should exercise within the target zone and gradually increase the duration.
Ideally you should aim to exercise ( within zone ) for at least 15-20 minute continuously, 3-4 times per week.
Caution
Do not try to do too much to quickly start gradually and build up.
If you become ill, if you are under doctor care, or over 35-40 and not currently taking regular
exercise then we would advise you not to start to exercise without consulting your doctor.
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Summary of Contents for ARP100
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