It makes the heart work more efficiently. A healthy heart pumps a large amount of blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. It does this with fewer beats than a weak or unconditioned heart. Walk briskly, jog, hike, cycle, swim, or do other aerobic exercise. Aerobic activities use large muscle groups for long periods of time.
Aerobic exercise performed at moderate intensity makes the heart stronger.
Hard, strenuous exercise is not needed to improve the health of the heart and lungs. Moderate and continuous exercise is. An aerobic exercise program makes the heart more efficient at delivering oxygen to the body's cells. It helps blood pressure go down. Exercise lowers the risk for heart attack and heart disease.