Health Tips Heart: Kinds of Physical Exercise

Kinds of Physical Exercise

A successful exercise program involves frequent physical activity that is rhythmic, repetitive, challenges the circulatory system, and uses large muscles. The exercise program must significantly increase the blood flow to the muscles for an extended period of time, promoting cardiovascular fitness. Such exercises are called isotonic, dynamic, or aerobic. If you want to have a healthy heart, you need to perform aerobic exercise.

Aerobic activities really "get the blood pumping." As the heart beats faster, the blood circulates more quickly, delivering extra oxygen to the muscles. This builds strength, or cardiovascular fitness. Some recommended aerobic activities are walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, jumping rope, and roller skating. Some forms of exercise, like weightlifting, can build muscle strength without building cardiovascular fitness.
Enrichment
Heart Activities for the Classroom
Reading and Resources
Index of all "The Human Heart" pages
Heart Image Gallery
Visit The Giant Heart exhibit at The Franklin Institute
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You are viewing a page in The Franklin Institute's online exploration of the human heart. It is one of many Resources for Science Learning which inspire scientific curiosity.
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