Cardiorespiratory fitness refers to the ability of the circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen to skeletal muscles during sustained physical activity. Regular exercise makes these systems more efficient by enlarging the heart muscle, enabling more blood to be pumped with each stroke, and increasing the number of small arteries in trained skeletal muscles, which supply more blood to working muscles. Exercise improves the respiratory system by increasing the amount of oxygen that is inhaled and distributed to body tissue.
There are many benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and other diseases. Cardiorespiratory fitness helps improve lung and heart condition, and increases feelings of wellbeing.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends aerobic exercise 3-5 times per week for 20–60 minutes per session, at an intensity that maintains the heart rate between 65-90% of the maximum heart rate.
Read more about Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System Adaptations, Temperature Regulation
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“Parentage is a very important profession; but no test of fitness for it is ever imposed in the interest of children.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)