Does cardio exercise help with muscle mass gain? Experts explain

One of the main questions regarding muscle mass gain It’s the practice of celebrities cardio exercises . After all, do they help or hinder this objective?

Popularly, exercises cardio It is aerobic They can be confused, but there is a difference between them. A CNN nutritionist Ruth Egg a specialist in sports and eating behavior, explains that the first refers to activities that increase the heart rate.

“The focus is on cardiovascular health and strengthening the heart and lungs, such as running, cycling and swimming, for example,” he says.

Meanwhile, aerobics is any activity that uses oxygen to produce energy. “In short, while all aerobic exercise is cardio, not all cardio exercise is strictly aerobic – as is the case with high-intensity, short-duration activities,” he adds.

The role of cardio in the physical activity schedule

According to the professional, cardio, as well as aerobics, performs several crucial functions in the body. Among them, highlights include:

• cardiovascular health — which guarantees an improvement in the efficiency of the heart and lungs;
• resistance and energy — as they increase aerobic capacity and general resistance, in addition to strengthening musicians involved in continuous activity;
• weight control — which aims to increase the basal metabolic rate and help burn calories; It is
• improves mood — especially for releasing endorphins, reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Rugg also adds that, in general, Cardio exercises are more effective for burning fat than for gaining muscle mass .

“However, its influence on mass gain or loss depends on some factors such as diet, type and intensity of exercise and the combination with strength training”, he says.

Risks in excessive practice

Like all physical practice, cardio also requires some extra care, as excessive practice can cause:

• Cardiac overload;
• Musculoskeletal injuries (higher risk of repetitive strain injuries);
• Loss of muscle mass (excess can lead to muscle catabolism, especially if not combined with strength exercises); It is
• Exhaustion and burnout (can lead to extreme fatigue and burnout).

Who can do it?

Also in an interview with CNN physical educator and sports consultant Leandro Twin reinforces that the practice is not suitable for everyone.

“People with advanced heart disease, heart failure or uncontrolled arrhythmias should avoid intense exercise until their condition is stabilized and approved by a cardiologist,” he says.

Those who have acute injuries or serious orthopedic conditions, such as fractures, tears or other severe joint diseases, also require medical supervision and complete evaluation.

Common mistakes that harm muscle mass gain