Comment:
The myth that a prolonged exercise session burns calories is being turned over its head by new research showing that short bursts of intense exercise are more efficient. Forget those long, low intensity workouts; intense exercise in short bouts is best.
We all have busy lives and planning a whole hour of exercise can be challenging. The good news is that physical activity can be broken down into modules of short intense exercise.
4,500 men and women were tested after performing intense exercise for short periods of time. The study, published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, showed that short, intense exercise caused an increase in weight loss. The sample population was chosen from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All participants had to wear an accelerometer which monitored their movements during the day measuring the intensity and duration of activities like walking and running.
The key is intensity, not duration. Even 10 minutes of physically demanding activities count, as long as there is consistency and intense exercise is done on a daily basis.
Weight loss was consistent across all the participants who exercised in short outbursts at high intensity. The study only measured weight loss on the basis of exercise and participants were not monitored with their diet.
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