Many people are aware of the health benefits of breathing deeply and stimulating the muscles.  Most of us recognize the terms aerobic exercise and cardiovascular exercise. But the common perception is that aerobic exercise simply helps with wind and muscle tone and burns off calories. There is more that happens in the body when we stimulate the heart, lungs, and muscles.

The Bones: One important additional effect of exercise like rowing is that it increases blood flow to and through the bones. (Much is made of the use of weight-bearing exercise to maintain or improve bone density. That may occur with rowing, but focus for now on the simpler concept of blood flow through the bones.) Increased blood flow strengthens the bones. And the bones help the body in multiple ways.

Technical Note: The bones of the body are not dead tissue, like hair, fingernails, or tooth surfaces, but rather are living and changing and are nourished by the flow of blood through and around them. In addition, a key source for the manufacture of new blood cells in the body is bone marrow, which “produces all types of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets [the “tiniest cells in the body” responsible for making the blood clot],” according to Emmitt Keeffe in Know Your Body: The Atlas of Anatomy (pages 87 to 89).

The Brain and the Nervous System: The brain and nervous system are essential to our health. Parts of the brain control automatic systems in the body. Other parts allow us to control the body consciously. Obviously, getting a healthy supply of blood to the brain with the nutrients it contains is beneficial.

The Joints: We have many joints in the body. The joints contain a variety of tissues and other materials, including tendons, ligaments, cartilage, membranes, and fluid. As you row and your heart pumps more blood, you will tend to improve the flow of blood to and around your joints. You also use many key joints in an extensive range of motion without any impact and strengthen the muscles that hold the joints in place.

Kidneys, Liver, Other Organs, Glands: There are many organs and glands in the body performing important functions that depend on the flow of blood and other fluids. Many are located in the abdomen. Some manufacture important chemicals to help our bodies function well. When we use full-body exercise that effectively increases breathing and blood flow, we tend to maximize the stimulation of the whole body.

The Skin: The skin is sometimes called the largest organ of the body. It is part of an active and interactive system the body uses to regulate temperature, manage chemical balances, balance fluid levels, and remove impurities from the body. When you exercise, you heat up your body. Blood flow to the skin changes. You begin to perspire. You activate a system that is otherwise relatively dormant. Think of it as your skin breathing.