Fitness and Health

Anaerobic vs. Aerobic Exercise

What is Anaerobic Exercise?

Anaerobic exercise is when the body is in a physiological state where you accumulate lactate (lactic acid) in your muscles faster than you can remove it.

• This build up of lactic acid is caused by the absence of oxygen in the muscles. The maximum heart rate range for anaerobic exercise is between 85-90% of your maximum heart rate.

• Anaerobic exercise uses the body’s stored up glucose as its energy source.

• Glucose is a normal component of animal blood; it thus requires no digestion prior to absorption into the bloodstream.

• Glucose can be obtained by hydrolysis of a variety of carbohydrates, e.g., milk and cane sugars, maltose, cellulose, or glycogen, but it is usually manufactured by hydrolysis of cornstarch with steam and dilute acid; the corn syrup thus obtained contains also some dextrins and maltose. Glucose is used in the manufacture of candy, chewing gum, jams, jellies, table syrups, and other foods, and for many other purposes. It is the major source of energy in animal metabolism.

• Glucose tastes only about three-fourths as sweet as table sugar (sucrose). The presence of glucose can be detected by use of Fehling’s solution; various modifications of this test are used to detect glucose in urine, which may be a symptom of diabetes.

What is aerobic exercise?

• Aerobic exercise on the other hand, is conditioning with the presence of oxygen. It is using the same large muscle group, rhythmically, for a period of 15 to 20 minutes or longer while maintaining 60-80% of your maximum heart rate. Aerobics is using oxygen as the main energy source within your training period.

• When the maximum heart rate reaches in between 65-80%, the body is working aerobically. Aerobic exercise is beneficial because oxygen is utilized in your lungs effectively and efficiently.

• The oxygen used during exercise is known as V02 Max
  

• This, in turn changes your breathing rate as well as the lactate accumulation in your muscles. Last but not least, aerobic exercise burns fat for fuel.

• The reduction of body fat is obtained through the accuracy and intensity of the exercise. It is not about overexertion.

• The benefits that aerobic exercise can provide are immeasureable.

• The ability to lean out and tone muscle; increase your levels of energy and reduce tension. As well as the ability to improve your mood, reduce depression and anxiety.