Show Cardiorespiratory endurance is the ability to perform physical activities by engaging large muscle groups and the whole body at moderate to high intensities for extended periods. A component of physical fitness, cardiorespiratory endurance (Vo2-maximum) is referred to as aerobic fitness and aerobic capacity. Examples of activities that improve cardiorespiratory endurance are aerobic activities, which include: 3 aerobic exercises that can be performed at homeHere are 3 aerobic exercises that can be easily performed at home: Jumping jacks
Jogging in place
Mountain climbers (running planks)
Try to do each of the aerobic exercises for at least a minute and do not forget to breathe deeply while doing so. Take a 30-second break in between each exercise and start again. To improve cardiorespiratory endurance, you can gradually increase the duration and exercise intensity. Workout for at least 30 minutes per day, three to seven days per week. What are the benefits of improved cardiorespiratory endurance?Improving cardiorespiratory endurance typically causes your breathing and heart rate to increase while doing physical activities. Healthy adults can use aerobic fitness for better muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as improve their overall lifestyle balance. The benefits of performing high-intensity exercises that target cardiovascular endurance include:
Medically Reviewed on 11/2/2021 References Image Source: Kosamtu / Getty Images Committee on Fitness Measures and Health Outcomes in Youth; Food and Nutrition Board; Institute of Medicine; Pate R, Oria M, Pillsbury L, editors. Fitness Measures and Health Outcomes in Youth. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2012 Dec 10. 5, Health-Related Fitness Measures for Youth: Cardiorespiratory Endurance. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK241309/ Cardiorespiratory endurance is an indication of a person’s overall physical health. Cardiorespiratory endurance tests monitor how well the heart, lungs, and muscles perform during moderate to high-intensity exercise. Increasing cardiorespiratory endurance improves oxygen uptake in the lungs and heart and can help a person sustain physical activity for longer. Other names for cardiorespiratory endurance include cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular endurance, and cardiorespiratory fitness. In this article, we discuss what cardiorespiratory endurance is, how a person can measure it, and why it is important. We also look at how to improve cardiorespiratory endurance, including some examples of exercises.
Cardiorespiratory endurance measures how well the body performs during long periods of exercise. A person with high cardiorespiratory endurance can sustain high-intensity activities over an extended period without getting tired. Measuring a person’s cardiorespiratory endurance involves examining how well their body takes in and utilizes oxygen. When a person inhales, their lungs fill up with air and some of the oxygen it contains passes into the bloodstream. This oxygen-rich blood then travels to the heart, which circulates it around the body to the tissues and organs that need it. The muscles require an adequate supply of oxygen and other nutrients to work properly during high-intensity or extended periods of exercise. If the muscles do not get enough nutrients, waste products begin to accumulate and cause fatigue. A person’s level of cardiorespiratory endurance can directly affect their physical performance. Tests that measure cardiorespiratory endurance include: Metabolic equivalentsMetabolic equivalents (METs) refers to the ratio between the energy expended during physical activity and the energy expended while at rest. Finding a person’s MET involves measuring how much oxygen their body uses at rest. Maximum oxygen uptakeMaximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) test determines the maximum amount of oxygen the body is capable of using during high-intensity activities, such as sprinting or biking. The VO2 max test typically involves running on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike as fast as possible. During the test, the person wears a chest strap or other body attachment that records their heart rate and a face mask that measures oxygen consumption. Cardiorespiratory endurance indicates a person’s level of aerobic health and physical fitness. This information can benefit everyone, not just professional athletes. Having a high cardiorespiratory endurance generally means that a person can perform high-intensity exercise for longer. People trying to lose weight may want to focus on increasing their cardiorespiratory endurance because doing higher-intensity aerobic activities can help a person burn more calories. Scientific research also suggests some other potential health benefits from having an improved cardiorespiratory endurance. For example:
People can improve their cardiorespiratory endurance through regular exercise. The authors of a 2019 study reported that resistance training, endurance training, and high-intensity interval training led to improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular strength among adults who were aged 40–65 years old and who were not previously physically active. A 2017 study investigated the effectiveness of a 12-week cross-circuit training program in students who were overweight and had intellectual disabilities. The researchers found participants who followed the training program had an improved exercise endurance, muscle strength, and body mass index. The following exercises can help improve cardiorespiratory endurance, build muscle, and burn calories. People can perform these physical activities at home or add them to their gym routine. Try doing these exercises in sets of 10–15 repetitions, or as many repetitions as possible for 1 minute with a 20-second break in between sets. Jumping jacks:
Burpees:
Mountain climbers (running planks):
Side-shuffle touches:
Other exercises that can help improve cardiorespiratory fitness include:
Cardiorespiratory endurance is a measure of how well the heart, lungs, and muscles perform during moderate to high-intensity physical activity. Getting regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can improve cardiorespiratory endurance. Aerobic exercises can help promote heart and lung health and improve how well the body circulates and utilizes oxygen. |