WHY CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS IS IMPORTANT?

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. Its primary function is to transport oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the entire body. Cardiovascular fitness, also known as cardio-respiratory endurance, is a health-related component of physical fitness that is brought about by regular, sustained physical activity. It has two components:

the ability of the heart, blood cells and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissues; and

the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement.

In essence, cardiovascular fitness describes the efficiency in which the lungs, heart, and vascular system work to provide oxygen to the working muscles of the body so that the exertion of the muscles can be maintained. Improving your cardiovascular fitness has many benefits.

By increasing the efficiency of your heart, lungs, and blood vessels, cardiovascular fitness can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. The easier it is to pump blood throughout your body, the less taxing it is on your heart. The strength of your heart’s contraction, the elasticity of your blood vessels, and the efficiency of your blood to carry oxygen all improve if cardiovascular training is effectively executed.

Cardiovascular exercise helps you maintain a healthy body composition. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise, especially at prolonged and higher intensities, effectively burn calories and stored fat.

Exercising regularly to maintain cardiovascular fitness provides numerous physiological benefits. These include lowering blood pressure, reducing weight, strengthening muscles and bones, and improving mood through the release of endorphins.

Having greater cardiovascular fitness will enable you to confidently complete activities that have a cardiovascular demand. These include climbing stairs, brisk walking, running, hiking, biking, swimming, and even strength training. Being able to move through your day without feeling winded can make a huge difference in your confidence and quality of life. Also, a good cardiovascular base allows you to train harder during strength sessions without feeling fatigued.