Aerobics, or aerobic dance, is a sport discipline that originated in the United States in the 1960s.
It is a type of activity that works the large muscles of the arms and legs to a piece of very rhythmic music. It is an activity that stimulates the cardio-pulmonary system. Indeed, the very sustained rhythm of the movements increases the heart rate and the quantity of oxygen that arrives at the muscles.
Benefits of aerobic dance
The benefits of aerobics are numerous.
First of all, aerobics helps you lose weight. It reshapes and refines the figure, strengthens the muscles, and the endurance to the effort. At the cardiac level, it lowers blood pressure, stimulates myocardial activity, and reduces harmful cholesterol levels in the blood.
At the psychic level, endorphins, the happiness hormone, is also secreted and contribute to the well-being felt during and after the aerobic session.
The recommended weekly time is 2.5 hours of moderate activity or 75 minutes of intense training. You can spread this exercise time throughout the week and regularly do 30 minutes of daily activity.
How does an aerobics session work?
The aerobics session begins with simple, rhythmic movements, which are then progressively integrated into more complex combinations that stimulate both arm and leg muscles. The movements become more intense in both rhythm and complexity.
The aerobics class is constructed in such a way that there is no break in movement. Designed to reduce the heart rate, such as a slower walk or arm swinging movements combined with a walk-in place, and then resume a faster pace. But the muscles are active throughout the session.
Aerobics: Effects on the Body
When you move your arms, legs, and hips quickly and repeatedly, your breathing rate increases. Your heart beats faster. The oxygen’s in the blood increases. This oxygen reaching the muscles is increased. Blood flow increases and rids the body of accumulated waste products such as carbon monoxide more quickly. Lactic acid is also secreted, following the use of glucose, during the effort.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not a waste product. It simply arrives at the end of the chain of transformation of glucose. Its rate becomes normal again after the effort, hence the need for recovery time.