HEALTH AND FITNESS DATABASE -- AEROBICS

HEALTH AND FITNESS DATABASE -- AEROBICS

Aerobics is a form of exercise that comprises rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness (flexibility, muscular strength, and cardio-vascular fitness). It is usually performed to music in a group setting led by an instructor, although it can be practiced solo and without musical accompaniment. With the goal of preventing physical illness, practitioners go through variable routines comprising a number of different dance-like exercises.

Formal aerobics 'classes' led by aerobics instructors are often divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, with different routines and fitness goals for each, and many aerobics classes allow participants to select their level of participation according to their fitness level. A primary reason for engaging in aerobics is weight loss. Although aerobics is typically practiced to music, it is not to be confused with jazzercise or other dance-based workouts.

The word Aerobics means "using oxygen". When you do an aerobic exercise, like Soccer, basketball, running, or Aerobics, you are breathing. The oxygen passes through your body, as opposed to using up the bodily storage like you do during Sprinting, or bench pressing. Eventually, the muscles are filled with lactic acid, which then takes rest to flush away. The main international governing body for aerobics is the Féderation International de Gymnastique, based in Liège, Belgium.[citation needed] It was formed in 1881. Italian Bruno Gandi is the current president.

Aerobic exercise gets the heart working to pump blood through the heart more quickly and with more force than normal. As blood is pumped faster, it must be oxygenated more quickly, which quickens respiration. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and boosts healthy cholestrol levels. Low impact aerobics include walking and swimming. Running, tennis and dance are high impact aerobics.

US Open 2013: Serena Williams & Victoria Azarenka reach final

Defending champion Serena Williams will face second seed Victoria Azarenka in a rematch of 2012's US Open final after they swept through their semi-finals.

Belarusian Azarenka beat Italy's Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium in a match with 13 breaks of serve.

Williams, the 31-year-old world number one, then needed seven match points before sealing a convincing 6-0 6-3 win in the second semi-final.

The American has dropped just 16 games in six matches at this year's event.

"It was a good match," said Williams. "Li Na is such a great player. I got a little nervous but I was able to close it out, finally."

Pietersen can lead by example, says Morgan

Pietersen can lead by example, says Morgan

LONDON: England batsman Eoin Morgan says Kevin Pietersen will have an important role to play in the one-day international series against Australia, which starts at Headingley on Friday.

With Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann all rested after a successful Ashes campaign, Morgan will lead some unfamiliar faces into battle against the tourists.

Given the lack of experience in the England line-up, Morgan has urged 33-year-old Surrey batsman Pietersen to lead the way.

"Kev offers a hell of a lot as a senior player and as a batsman," Morgan told a press conference.

"As a senior player he leads by example with the confidence with which he goes about his business. People rub off on that and that's crucial.

"When I first came into the team, he was one of the more senior players and he was a guy you could turn to and ask difficult questions or have no hesitation in turning to him for a positive option.

"In that regard, I think he's fantastic to have in the squad and back in for the one-day series."

Despite the absences of Bell and regular captain Cook, Morgan said that Pietersen was not guaranteed to open the batting against the Australians.

"It's certainly an option. Kev's opened the batting for England before and done well," he said.

"He also bats in the middle-order as a very explosive player. He's very versatile in that regard so we'll be looking at both options."

Morgan said that whoever was selected to open the batting would be "filling big shoes".

"Cooky and Belly have been very successful now for a couple of years and they've been a huge part of our success as a one-day team," said the Irishman.

"With the two new balls in one-day cricket it makes that role more difficult now, so it's an important role and one that we recognise needs filling."

Sussex bowler Chris Jordan could make his England debut on Friday and Morgan says working alongside budding debutants has been the highlight of his role so far. (AFP)

Pakistan struggle at 87-3 in second innings

Pakistan struggle at 87-3 in second innings

HARARE: Pakistan after repeating top-order collapse in the second innings were struggling hard on 87 for three at tea on the third day of the first Test here at the Harare Sports Club ground on Thursday.

Zimbabwe after taking an effective lead of 78 runs in the first innings, grabbed three early wickets to leave Pakistan reeling on 23 for three in the second innings before captain Misbah-ul-Haq and veteran batsman Younis Khan came to rescue.

They batted cautiously, adding an unbeaten 64 runs in 24.4 overs against accurate bowling, with some balls keeping low. Pakistan now were nine runs ahead of Zimbabwe with seven wickets in hand.

Younis was batting on 29 while Misbah was on 37 at tea.

Tinashe Panyangara took two wickets for 12 runs in eight overs. He gained both his wickets with deliveries which cut back, trapping Khurram Manzoor and Azhar Ali leg before wicket.

Tendai Chatara claimed the third wicket when Mohammad Hafeez drove a catch to short cover.

Earlier, Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took seven for 95 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 327. Ajmal took all three Zimbabwe wickets that fell on Thursday as the host nation added 46 runs to their overnight 281 for seven.

Elton Chigumbura became the third Zimbabwe batsmen to score a half-century, making 69 before he was ninth out, caught off bat and pad at short leg by Azhar Ali after a 129-ball innings which included eight boundaries.

Last man Chatara was out first ball, caught at gully by Younis Khan.

Overnight batsmen Chigumbura and Shingi Masakadza took their eighth wicket stand to 32 before Masakadza went back on his stumps and was leg before wicket to Ajmal for 14. Chigumbura played some attacking strokes as he added a further 17 with Panyangara before he was out.

It was Ajmal's eighth haul of five or more wickets in Tests. His best figures were seven for 55 against England in Dubai in January 2012.

Sports: WHY PAKISTAN DIDN'T WIN AGAINST ZIMBABWE

Sports: WHY PAKISTAN DIDN'T WIN AGAINST ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe end winless streak against Pakistan in style HARARE: A sturdy 85 from Hamilton Masakadza and a crucial late cameo from Sean...

WHY PAKISTAN DIDN'T WIN AGAINST ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe end winless streak against Pakistan in style

HARARE: A sturdy 85 from Hamilton Masakadza and a crucial late cameo from Sean Williams saw Zimbabwe record their first one-day win over Pakistan since 1998.

Chasing 245 in the first one-day international of a three-match series on Tuesday, Masakadza laid the platform before Williams finished the job with an unbeaten 39 from 23 deliveries as Zimbabwe won by seven wickets with 10 balls to spare.

Although Misbah-ul-Haq held the Pakistan innings together in his 50th consecutive ODI as Pakistan captain, he was left to lament his decision to bat first at a venue where the pitch generally improves as the day goes on.

Misbah finished unbeaten on 83 and shared in a 99-run stand for the third wicket with Mohammad Hafeez, who made 70, but with Pakistan's middle and lower order failing to fire they could only manage 244 for seven.

It could have been far worse for the tourists had Zimbabwe held their catches - both Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad were put down during an opening partnership of 56, while Hafeez was let off on 10 and 55.

Misbah required no such luck in a well-paced knock that saw him go to fifty in 62 balls before opening up towards the end, and his two sixes off Tinashe Panyangara in the final over of the innings ensured that Pakistan at least had something to bowl at.

However Masakadza, who was restored to the top of the Zimbabwean innings for Pakistan's tour, put on a confident stand of 107 with his opening partner Vusi Sibanda as Pakistan's bowlers found little assistance in the pitch.

Sibanda was eventually trapped lbw for 54 by Saeed Ajmal, but Brendan Taylor maintained stability with a calm 43 not out as he and Masakadza took Zimbabwe to 176 for one in the 38th over.

Masakadza missed out on a potential century when he slapped an Ajmal delivery straight to short extra cover, and the pressure was back on when Timycen Maruma put in another nervous showing with the bat.

Zimbabwe needed a nerveless innings to put them back on track, and Williams provided it as he struck four fours before finishing the game in emphatic fashion when he hit Mohammad Irfan for six over wide long-on.

The two sides meet again at the same venue on Thursday. (AFP)

Ashes 2013: Oval finish an absolute disgrace - Agnew

The way the fifth and final Ashes Test finished on Sunday leaves me both speechless and angry.

For the bad-light regulations to force the umpires to take the players off the field with England needing just 21 runs off 24 balls for victory, in front of a full house at The Oval, with millions watching and listening at home on the edge of their seats, is an absolute disgrace.

There are many of us who have talked to people at the International Cricket Council about this. We have told them what was likely to transpire.

I'm not trying to be clever about it - I wasn't the only one - but we knew that this was an embarrassment waiting to happen.