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By Regan Hennessy – Livestrong.com
With origins in karate, kickboxing is a martial art that involves controlled kicking and punching movements typically delivered from a standing position. Many people practice kickboxing as a full-contact competitive sport, while others use it to promote overall fitness or learn self defense. Regardless of what draws you to kickboxing, this active form of exercise has the ability to benefit your health in multiple important ways.
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Heart Health
An active sport that requires repeated bursts of movement, kickboxing promotes heart health by providing a cardiovascular workout. The kicks and punches that make up the main kickboxing movements cause your heart to pump blood more rapidly, especially when done in exercise stretches that last 30 minutes or longer. Over time, this increased heart rate results in a stronger, more efficient heart. Maximize the workout you get from this sport by sticking with a form of kickboxing that promotes aerobic activity, such as cardiovascular kickboxing, which blends traditional kickboxing and karate moves with aerobic activities.
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