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What is the Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise?

Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster

The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is in the type of metabolic process that the body uses during the activity. Aerobic means "with oxygen," so the two types of exercise differ in whether the body needs to use oxygen to generate energy. Doing aerobic exercise uses more endurance than anaerobic exercise and is performed for longer periods of time, while anaerobic is more intense and practiced in shorter bursts of energy. Aerobic exercise includes such activities as jogging, swimming, and cycling, while anaerobic exercise includes weight-lifting and sprinting.

Both types of exercise produce energy through glycolysis, the conversion of glucose into pyruvate. While aerobic exercise uses oxygen to break down glucose, anaerobic exercise uses phosphocreatine, stored in the muscles, or breaks down glucose without the help of oxygen. The phosphocreatine system is mainly used for activities under 30 seconds in duration, while anaerobic glycolysis becomes more predominant for longer activities.

Jogging provides an aerobic workout.
Jogging provides an aerobic workout.

Anaerobic glycolysis is not as efficient as the aerobic variety, which is why it cannot be sustained for as long. It also causes the buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. In general, anaerobic exercise can be performed for up to two minutes, though with training, it can be sustained for a longer period. Aerobic exercise, on the other hand, should be performed at moderate intensity for at least 20 minutes for the best results, along with brief warm-up and cool-down periods of reduced intensity.

Sprinting is an anaerobic exercise.
Sprinting is an anaerobic exercise.

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise are both important parts of a fitness regimen. The first helps strengthen the heart and the muscles involved in respiration, improves circulation and oxygen transport in the body, reduces blood pressure, and burns fat. The second helps build strength and muscle mass and can increase the basal metabolic rate, allowing the body to burn calories more effectively when at rest. Both types of exercise, therefore, accomplish different and separate goals. A person can have impressive muscle mass, yet perform poorly in endurance activities such as long-distance running, and vice versa.

Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

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Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Crispety

Bhutan- I will have to try that. I know that combining anaerobic exercise such sprinting with an aerobic exercise such as jogging helps to increase your metabolic rate along with your fitness level.

Keeping the same workout day in and day out will not yield much improvement over time.

However, if you mix it up a bit and add some sprinting to your jogging workout- then that’s a different story.

Bhutan

Great article- I just want to add that highly fit individuals can benefit from a combination of anaerobic and aerobics workouts.

Interval training often incorporates both forms of exercise in order to develop a higher fitness level.

A typical interval training session for a runner might include a sprint as fast as the runner can run for a period of 10-60 seconds followed by a light jog of 30 seconds to 3 minutes. The slower interval is usually three times that of the faster interval.

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    • Jogging provides an aerobic workout.
      By: Martinan
      Jogging provides an aerobic workout.
    • Sprinting is an anaerobic exercise.
      By: berc
      Sprinting is an anaerobic exercise.
    • Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise should be included in a well-designed fitness program.
      By: Syda Productions
      Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise should be included in a well-designed fitness program.
    • Bodybuilders may use anaerobic training as part of their muscle-building routine.
      By: Christopher Howey
      Bodybuilders may use anaerobic training as part of their muscle-building routine.