Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Aerobic exercise
open-in-new
<p>Aerobic exercise, also known as cardio, is <a href="/facts/Physical_exercise/egYQjt8A">physical exercise</a> of low to high <a href="/facts/Exercise_intensity/jdo0CuPL">intensity</a> that depends primarily on the aerobic <a href="/facts/Adenosine_triphosphate/nB9bwgcU">energy</a>-generating process. "Aerobic" is defined as "relating to, involving, or requiring oxygen", and refers to the use of <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a> to meet energy demands during exercise via <a href="/facts/Cellular_respiration/kb6gpsvL">aerobic metabolism</a> adequately. Aerobic exercise is performed by repeating sequences of light-to-moderate intensity activities for extended periods of time. According to the World Health Organization, over 31% of adults and 80% of adolescents fail to maintain the recommended levels of physical activity. Examples of cardiovascular or aerobic exercise are medium- to long-distance <a href="/facts/Running/h09J9jtb">running</a> or <a href="/facts/Jogging/XQeTpmTt">jogging</a>, <a href="/facts/Human_swimming/hnU8XbVg">swimming</a>, <a href="/facts/Cycling/XH6EKjAF">cycling</a>, <a href="/facts/Stair_climbing/d88p6l24">stair climbing</a> and <a href="/facts/Walking/Mow1X5Im">walking</a>. </p><p>For reducing the risk of health issues, 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week is recommended. At the same time, even doing an hour and a quarter (11 minutes/day) of exercise can reduce the risk of early death, <a href="/facts/Cardiovascular_disease/HD420nMv">cardiovascular disease</a>, <a href="/facts/Stroke/DwpjdzY0">stroke</a>, and <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a>. </p><p>Aerobic exercise may be better referred to as "solely aerobic", as it is designed to be low-intensity enough that all carbohydrates are aerobically turned into energy via mitochondrial ATP production. <a href="/facts/Mitochondrion/ErHqrdJ1">Mitochondria</a> are <a href="/facts/Organelles/vhDFnGbs">organelles</a> that rely on oxygen for the metabolism of carbs, proteins, and fats. Aerobic exercise causes a remodeling of mitochondrial cells within the tissues of the liver and heart. </p>