The benefits of better cardiovascular fitness are well known. More exercise increases your resting metabolic rate (RMR), your fat-burning hormones, and your muscle strength. But have you ever considered that exercise also leads to better cardiovascular fitness? Better cardiovascular fitness is directly related to the better structural integrity of your heart including the better cellular composition of the heart muscle, increased tissue thickness and mass, and increased surface area of the hippocampus, which supports memory and cognition processes affected in Alzheimer's disease, depression, and dementia. Exercise also leads to higher levels of blood pressure. And for a healthy immune system, more physical activity prevents infection.
In addition to improving your health through exercise, another way to improve cardiovascular fitness is to strengthen structural brain integrity of your brain. Brain health is important for cognitive function. The brain controls and coordinates all your body's functions; poor brain health makes it difficult for your body to coordinate with its organs. That means if you don't have good structural brain health, the body is not able to compensate by using its muscles to move the joints in your body. When you get older, your brain cells die a slow death due to lack of oxygen and protein intake.
A second way to prevent brain deterioration is to perform regular aerobic exercise. Oxygen and protein transfer, the delivery of nutrients to the cells, are an essential part of brain cell functioning. The brain needs the right nutrients to function. Aerobics, which include running, cycling, swimming, and other types of aerobics, are proven to benefit the brain. Regular aerobic exercise prevents the buildup of tau proteins in the brain. These are common proteins found in those suffering from stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia.
One more benefit of cardiovascular fitness is increased circulation. Blood flow is an essential component of brain activity. It provides oxygen, vital nutrients, and keeps the brain cells healthy. If the circulatory system is not efficient, mental and physical performance suffers. If you suffer from a poor cardiovascular fitness level, then you could potentially be damaging your brain over time.
Finally, another benefit of improving your cardiovascular health is weight loss. Body fat is a key component of brain health. When you burn body fat, your brain gets more energy, making you feel sharper. As you lose body fat, your body becomes more efficient and your brain functions become more efficient, resulting in higher thinking ability, greater memory, enhanced learning, and better overall health.
As you can see, there are many key benefits to improving your fitness. You don't necessarily need to join a gym to reap these benefits. However, if you are sedentary or if your current fitness level falls short of your optimal fitness goals, then these simple changes can make a big difference in your quality of life.
Of course, you can't expect to get the best cardiovascular health without making lifestyle changes. That means making appropriate changes to your diet, regular exercise, and other aspects of your life. In order for you to have the best cardio workout, you will also need to eat the right foods and to do some form of regular exercise. Combining these two factors will help you reach your fitness goals.
In order to reap the best benefits of a good fitness program, you have to be dedicated to the process. Cardiovascular fitness is easy to achieve. If you are willing to make the proper changes, then you will see results. But remember that it doesn't happen overnight. You will have to commit to your new fitness routine and your new diet for a period of time. But you can reap the benefits of better cardiovascular fitness and begin to feel the benefits of a healthier lifestyle!
