workout for the body that establishes and main-
tains a high overall FITNESS LEVEL. Cross-training
exercise typically complements a person’s primary
athletic activity. Runners may cross train by
engaging in swimming to work the upper body,
for example, and bicycle one day a week to work
different muscles from those that running works
in the lower body. Many athletes alternate AEROBIC
EXERCISE with RESISTANCE EXERCISE to improve
STRENGTH, such as weightlifting, with stretching
activities to improve FLEXIBILITY, such as YOGA. The
alternation may occur in the form of two or more
activities in a single session or alternating activities
among different sessions. For example a runner
may run one day, lift weights the next day, run
the next day, and swim the next day. Cross train-
ing also helps reduce the risk for ATHLETIC INJURIES.
See also AEROBIC CAPACITY.cross training 219