can we sticky some articles on the actual physiological effects of so called "cardio" i.e. low intensity long duration aerobic exercise? i'm kinda sick of hearing the word and seeing it thrown around

i think the word "cardio" is tossed around too much.


a 300lb heffer getting on the tread mill and walking for 10 min does not constitute cardio in my opinion. That is a warm up or a cool down.

someone like myself that does explosion intervals throughout a 30-45 min time frame would actually be doing something cardio wise.

I also think when marathon runners train by upping their mileage each week in preperation of a marathon would also be considered cardio. But a steady paced jog for that period of time would be considered high intensity.

i don't think anything low intensity works. Your endurance fractionally improves from walking or doing something like low intensity aerobics. Doing some of my "cardio" routines will show signs of improvement in your cardiovascular endurance in as little as two weeks.

training boxing is about the most intense cardio i get.

well i do muay thai (kickboxing) so i'm sure its pretty much the same intensity.

I hope JohnnyV isn't coming from the direction that "cardio" training is useless. Unless you just want to be a power lifter then cardio is necessary for almost anything. Bodybuilders use it to shed some fat for the definition. All the major professional sports do cardio conditioning.

If i just lifted and never touched a piece of cardio equipment or did some running i wouldn't be able to go half the time needed for one of my fights or competitions. Sure my muscle endurance might last but i'll be out of gas and breathing super heavy after 2 minutes.

i would die sparring if i didnt train cardio every day.

i want recognition of the actual meaning of the term "cardio" and "aerobic" and a basic understanding of the physiological effects of training each.

here's a good article on aerobic exercise/cardio from Bodybuilding.com

click here for link