Exercise and the Body

by Scott Howard

Exercise is an important part of health. It is an integral part of weight loss programs as well as slowing the aging process. Any amount of exercise is good, although there may be certain health conditions that one may have that will prevent them from exercising.

When an individual is doing any kind of exercise training, his maximum heart rate (MHR) should be monitored frequently (especially if you are just starting an exercise regime.) The objective is to reach a target heart rate which should be 70-85% of one=s MHR. The MHR is calculated by the formula (220-age.) Physical success is indicated by the anaerobic threshold (AT.) AT is where there is not adequate oxygen to support the tissues of the body. At AT, the heart rate increases and the performance decreases. AT is elevated by short but intense activity. One's best training is done just below AT. To accomplish good training, one is recommended to have intervals 5-by-5. 5 minutes at target and 5 minutes to slow down to regain heart rate and then repeat 5-by-5.

Exercise can also build or tone muscle and strengthen bone. When muscles are used against a weighted device, the force applied to the bone actually causes an increase in bone mass at that location.

The increase in muscle size has several advantages such as:
- increase number of muscle fibers
- up to 120% increase in mitochondria enzymes
- 60-80% increase in muscle fuel formation
- 50% increase in stored muscle glycogen

Exercise has many benefits to the body. For instance, the metabolic rate (MR), which is related to lean tissue, is increased. As you age, your body=s MR decreases as well as your lean tissue, hence the advantage of exercise.

MR is influenced by several factors which are:
Thyroxine-t4
Growth hormone (GH)
Testosterone
Epinephrine

(more)