What does cardio do to your body? We asked a doctor to explain its many benefits
We know it can get your heart pumping and leave you out of breath, but what does cardio do to your body? Before plunging into the details, it's worth laying out exactly what counts as cardio. Technically, any exercise that gets your heart rate up and increases blood flow falls into this category. That means that running on one of the best treadmills (opens in new tab), climbing stairs, jumping rope and other high energy exercises all count. But what precisely is going on inside when you're exercising — and how does it benefit your wellbeing? We asked a doctor to break it down in its simplest term What happens during cardio exercise During a cardio session, your muscles require a higher amount of blood and oxygen to function. Your heart and lungs work overtime to pump these things through your body — which is why your heart rate rises and you feel out of breath during your workout. Because you're challenging your heart and lungs with this type of exercise, repeating it regularly will actually improve the way that these body parts function, as they get stronger and more efficient. And there are plenty of other health benefits to gain from cardio, too. Benefits of cardio exercise Dr. John Vasudevan, MD, CHUSM, is associate professor of rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania and knows first-hand the benefits cardio exercises have on the body as well as the heart. "Cardiovascular exercise basically benefits anywhere that blood flows," said Vasudevan. "Increased blood flows mean more oxygen to your muscles and vital organs, more nutrition coming to it, better waste removal, so that's why cardiovascular exercises — even though its training the heart as a muscle itself — really benefits your heart, your lungs, your blood vessels, your internal organs, even your brain and your psyche." Dr. John Vasuden Associate professor of rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania Dr. John Vasuden is a medically qualified physiatrist, who has a Certificate of…