Aerobic And Resistance Training
The benefits of aerobic and resistance training in both recreational and competitive athletes are well documented. Sports programs and athletes have embraced these techniques as pillars of improved sporting abilities and good health maintenance.
A properly curated and executed training regimen that aligns properly with an athletes goals and objectives will definitely increase strength and power while also improving performance. Such a program also has been shown to reduce musculoskeletal injuries, decrease the severity of injury occurrences, and improve the general health of bones, muscle tissue, and other connective tissue.
The physical changes that occur during aerobic and resistance training improve the protection against injury for those who participate in such intensive sport and activity.
A discussion of the role that aerobic and resistance training plays in a sports medicine context follows. More specifically, we’ll dive a little deeper into a broad overview of each training methodology, outline their respective benefits, and even summarize potential risk factors associated.
What is Aerobic Training?
Otherwise referred to as “cardio”, or cardiovascular exercise, aerobic training is a training methodology that requires the use of oxygen in order to meet and maintain energy demands. Examples of aerobic training include lower intensity, steady-state activities such as endurance walking, running, biking, swimming, and sports such as basketball, soccer, hockey, and track & field.
Aerobic exercise is extremely effective and efficient at improving heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, boosting bone density, strength, mobility, and reducing the risk of injury, disease, and other health-related conditions. Aerobic fitness also improves the body’s ability to absorb oxygen and delay fatigue. All of these positive results can be attributed to the increased blood flow that occurs with aerobic training.
What is Resistance Training?
Resistance training is a training methodology that involves strength exercises via machines, bodyweight, free weights, resistance bands, and any other modality that applies resistance to a given movement.
The intention of resistance training is to improve one’s ability to carry load and exert force; however, research suggests that resistance training accomplishes much more than that, especially in the context of sports medicine, performance training, and physical rehab. In addition, muscles that are accustomed to receiving regular resistance training will often grow in size and become resistant to fatigue during exercise.
