Outdoor sports: a cardiovascular workout for your heart

A summer topic that makes our hearts beat faster (both literally and figuratively): outdoor sports! Did you know that exercising outdoors is not only good for your overall health but also specifically for your heart? In this blog, we share all the essential knowledge with you about the importance of outdoor sports. And a small tip for all non-sports enthusiasts among us: keep reading and let yourself be motivated to move more!

Outdoor sports provide a fantastic cardiovascular workout for your heart. Whether you're running, cycling, swimming, or just taking a leisurely walk, any form of physical activity done outdoors stimulates your heart to work harder. This strengthens the heart muscle, increases pumping capacity, and improves blood circulation. Regular outdoor activities reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and also improve cholesterol levels.

Vitamin D

Another good reason to stay active outdoors: vitamin D! The sun is the ultimate source of vitamin D, so engaging in outdoor sports allows you to fully benefit from this natural source. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, but it also supports heart health. Vitamin D regulates blood pressure, helps reduce inflammation, and enhances calcium absorption, which is crucial for heart function. While you're active outdoors, your body absorbs this heartwarming vitamin.

Happy Hormones

Outdoor sports also set other processes in motion in the body. Being outside, surrounded by greenery, allows us to escape the daily routine and focus on improving our physical condition. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, our "happiness hormones," providing a sense of euphoria and reducing stress. Less stress means a lower risk of heart problems and a healthier, happier heart. 

Connecting with others

Outdoor sports also offer the opportunity to create and strengthen connections. Join a soccer team, go cycling with friends, or participate in a boot camp at your local park. Being active together makes it easy and quick to meet people and build friendships. Social connections are vital for our well-being and also have a positive effect on our heart health.

Switch it up

Our final reason why outdoor sports are healthy for your heart is the natural variation and challenge it brings. Unlike exercising in an enclosed space like a gym, the outdoors offers a wide range of environments and terrains to explore. Whether you choose hilly terrain, take a walk through a wooded area, or stroll along the beach, outdoor sports challenge your heart in different ways. Moving on uneven surfaces requires more effort from your heart and encourages it to become stronger. Moreover, the variety in environments ensures that you never get bored during exercise!

AED Specialist

In addition to sharing our knowledge about improving heart health, we have been specialists in AEDs and other resuscitation products for over 20 years. Thinking about purchasing an AED? Our specialists are ready to assist and provide guidance.