Health Benefits of Treadmill Exercise
There are almost countless health benefits to regular exercise, including heart strength, weight loss, and decreased insulin resistance. Walking or running on a treadmill is an excellent source of exercise that puts less stress on the body than walking or running on a flat surface outdoors. Treadmills also offer the option for careful heart rate and blood pressure monitoring for patients suffering from those issues. This information helps patients determine how much exercise they handle and when to stop. Here are just some of the important health benefits of exercising on the treadmill.
The Six Wonderful Health Benefits of a Treadmill
Heart Benefits
Treadmills are very useful in the diagnosis of heart disease, coronary artery blockages, and other cardiac issues. The body may not show symptoms of heart disease or blockage until it is put under stress, and using a treadmill is an effective way to put a body under stress while closely monitoring the patient’s vital signs. Treadmill tests are often performed on patients who are not currently experiencing symptoms of heart problems, but show risk factors such as high cholesterol.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that women and men that have inconclusive or abnormal treadmill test results are at least twice as likely to die from heart disease as people whose test results are normal. It’s possible for exercise stress tests performed on a treadmill to show a false positive result, so these test should always be follow up with others such as:
- Echo Stress Test: An exercise stress test that uses an echocardiogram to measure the heart function.
- Cardiac Catheterization: The insertion of a catheter into a specific chamber, vessel, or artery of the heart to spot a blockage or determine the severity of heart disease.
- Nuclear Stress Test: Uses a tiny dose of a radioactive solution to evaluate heart function and blood flow to the heart.
Regular aerobic exercise, such as a treadmill workout regimen, improves blood circulation in the body and helps to lower blood pressure by strengthening the heart. Aerobic exercise also helps to protect against blood vessel disease and heart disease by lowering low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and raising levels of high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). Anyone with heart issues should talk to their doctor before starting any exercise program to ensure that they don’t put too much stress on their body or interfere with their medications.
Benefits to Diabetics
Treadmills are an ideal way to encourage people to exercise regularly, and regular exercise is a very important factor in controlling insulin levels in type 2 diabetics. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry regular exercise decreases blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. The combination of diet and exercise is the best way to control diabetes symptoms in patients that are not insulin dependent. Each patient should consult their doctor before starting their exercise routine because exercise that is too intense can actually raise blood sugar levels.
Exercising for less than 20 minutes at a time usually causes the liver to release stored glucose for fuel, but a session of at least 20 minutes is more beneficial because it causes the muscles to take in glucose for fuel and lowers overall blood glucose levels. Using a treadmill for regular exercise often allows patients to lower their blood glucose levels enough that their medication levels can be adjusted or eliminated. Working out regularly also helps to regulate the hormones that induce sleep and facilitates better sleep. Regular sleep cycles are another factor that keeps blood sugar levels stable.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercising regularly is a great way to keep the body in good shape and decrease levels of disease. The heart is the most important muscle in the body and it needs exercise to stay in top shape. Treadmills are the best exercise machines for people starting their fitness journey because they are easy to use and put less stress on the body than many types of workouts. Most experts recommend that people exercise at least five days per week, for 20-60 minutes. A feat easily accomplished with a treadmill.
Health Benefits of Treadmill Exercise FAQs
Is a treadmill good for losing belly fat?
Running or jogging on a treadmill is a very effective way to burn fat and lose weight. The CDC recommends 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. Running on a treadmill is a great way to accomplish this as it is easier on your joints than running outdoors.
How many minutes should you spend on a treadmill?
The amount of time you spend on a treadmill depends on your own fitness level, goals, and routines. A good starting point would be walking or jogging for 20 minutes each day to reach the CDC’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity.
What is the best workout on a treadmill?
The best treadmill workout depends on your fitness goals. HIIT workouts and incline training are great for losing weight and toning your leg muscles. You can use your machine’s built-in workout programs, and apps, such as iFit and Peloton, to guide you through your treadmill workout.
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