Live The Active Life

Image via WikipediaAnyone who has exercised on a regular basis has probably assumed that the exercise was helping their heart, but might not think that it can actually “sculpt” it. Well, a recent article suggests just that. Researchers found a distinct structural effect on the shape of the hearts of those who did endurance exercise vs. those who did strength building exercise. Endurance athletes showed a change in both ventricles (sides) of the heart while strength training changed just the left ventricle. What does this mean? It could mean that endurance, or aerobic, exercise is better for your heart. That seems pretty logical but this article adds more validity to it.

I have always been a believer in the idea that endurance training is better for you than strength training, from a heart health perspective. This is just one more piece of evidence that you can really benefit from a structured endurance training program, whether that is jogging, cycling, or swimming. Strength training is also an important part, just not so important from the heart health end of things.

Read the article for more information than make your own judgment.