Types of exercises : anaerobic and aerobic

There are two types of exercises: anaerobic and aerobic.

Anaerobic exercise

The term "anaerobic" means "without air" or "without oxygen."

The term "anaerobic" means "without air" or "without oxygen." Anaerobic exercise uses muscles at high intensity and a high rate of work for a short period of time. Anaerobic exercise helps us increase our muscle strength and stay ready for quick bursts of speed. Think of short and fast when you think of anaerobic exercise.

Examples of anaerobic exercise include heavy weight lifting, sprinting, or any rapid burst of hard exercise.

Anaerobic exercise is usually performed at high intensity and can be sustained for periods of time as short as 10 seconds. During a sprint, the muscles need for oxygen cannot be matched by faster breathing and increased pumping by the heart. The muscle then turns to making energy through a non-oxygen dependent mechanism. The by-product of that is called lactic acid. The lactic acid triggers muscle aching and burning. After finishing the run, the lactic acid is slowly converted to a different non-troubling product, as the oxygen debt is paid back. So these anaerobic exercises cannot last long because oxygen is not used for energy and a by-product, called lactic acid, is produced.

Lactic Acid contributes to muscle fatigue and must be burned up by the body during a recovery period before another anaerobic bout of exercise can be attempted. The recovery period also allows the muscles to use oxygen to replenish the energy used during the high intensity exercise.

Aerobic exercise

Lower intensity activities performed for longer periods of time. Activities like walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling require a great deal of oxygen to make the energy needed for prolonged exercise. Both aerobic and anaerobic exercises are needed for the development of physical fitness.

Aerobic exercise on the other hand is done at a pace that does not outstrip the muscles ability to get the needed oxygen. Apart from the effects of dehydration, fatigue then is due to a lack of glucose. Many athletes have enough stored glucose (called glycogen) for about one to two hours of exercise. After that, the body simply runs out and they "hit the wall."

With regular aerobic exercise, the muscles and liver will increase their stores of glycogen to meet the new demands. Poor nutrition prevents this from happening and will allow these stores to become drained.

Further info and References :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaerobic

http://www.teengrowth.com/

http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/exercisefitness/exer3098.html