Anaerobic Exercise & Stress Stress is an everlasting burden experienced by all that must be managed in healthy ways to promote a healthy happy life. Stress plays a vital role in mental health and if not dealt with in the correct manner, it may cause many psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and tension. Mental stress can be defined as any emotional experiences that can be measured through psychological, behavioral, and biochemical changes. Studies have shown aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, and stress management programs have very close, if not equal, efficacy in reducing depression and anxiety levels. Therefore, it is safe to say anaerobic exercise is recommended as an alternative way to reduce stress, thus improving quality of life.
So what is it exactly? Anaerobic exercise is defined as any short-duration exercise that is powered primarily by metabolic pathways that do not use oxygen. These pathways produce lactic acid, resulting in metabolic acidosis, meaning the chemical balance in the blood becomes more acidic. Lactic acid buildup is responsible for the burning sensation following intense exercise. Anaerobic exercise does not burn as many calories as aerobic exercise but, it excels at building overall strength and muscle mass. However, increasing lean muscle mass boosts metabolism, which can aid in weight loss and help burn body fat. In addition, anaerobic exercise has also been proven to increase endurance and the ability to stand fatigue. Examples of anaerobic exercise include sprinting, weight (resistance) training, and jumping.