Can Less Exercise Actually Be Better for You?

Can less exercise actually be better for you? Yes, if it is the right kind of exercise.


A new study, from scientists at Canada's McMaster University, shows that is it possible to get more out of your workout by doing less. The research which appears in a recent issue of The Journal of Physiology is the latest, but not the first, study that supports the value of a time-efficient exercise technique called high intensity interval training (HIT). High intensity interval training is a special way of exercising that involves bursts of high intensity work alternated with periods of rest or low activity. HIT has been practiced for years by long distance runners, sprinters, football players and other athletes looking to boost their performance. What makes this study unique is the notion that HIT is not just for athletes it is also a perfect way for the average person who has very little time for exercise to finally get into shape.

The research team, lead by Dr. Martin Gibala, professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, has discovered, the “high intensity” portion of the HIT does not have to be punishing in order to be effective. What they found is that subjects who engaged in this kinder, gentler form of interval training benefited from improved endurance as well as a reduced risk of diseases normally associated with a sedentary lifestyle such as Type 2 diabetes.

Previous HIT research has focused on elite athletes performing grueling high intensity bouts on specialized equipment. This was a problem because, according to Dr. Gibala, “This type of training is extremely demanding” and “may not be safe or practical for some individuals.” This new study involved short exercise sessions of just 20-25 minutes on a standard stationary bicycle. Subjects were asked to perform a series of one minute high intensity bouts at about half their maximal effort followed by a 75 second low intensity recovery.

"What we've been able to show is that interval training does not have to be 'all out' in order to be effective and time-efficient," says Gibala "While still a very demanding form of training, the exercise might be more achievable by the general public - not just elite athletes - and it certainly doesn't require the use of specialized laboratory equipment." What Gibala wants to do next is to study how interval training might benefit the obese, middle-aged and elderly populations who are non-traditional exercisers.

 


Disclaimer

Featured Doctors

Laser Vein Treatment Warwick, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

Laser Vein Treatment Montgomery, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

 George Shapiro, MD
George Shapiro, MD

700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 914-472-1900

Laser Vein Treatment Scotchtown, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

NY cardiac surgeons

Dr. George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.

WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 888-904-1676

Laser Vein Treatment New Paltz, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

Anti Aging Doctor New York

Dr. George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.

WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 888-904-1676

Laser Vein Treatment Chester, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

Laser Vein Treatment Middletown, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

Varicose Vein Surgery Bronx

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

Laser Veins Treatments NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

NY Cardiologist

Dr. George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.

WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 888-904-1676

Dr. Arlen Fleisher Westchester

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

Laser Vein Treatment Newburgh, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

NY Heart Disease Treatments

Dr George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.

WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 888-904-1676

Laser Vein Treatment Woodbury, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749

NY cardiothoracic surgery

Dr George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.

WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 888-904-1676

Ny cardiovascular surgery

Dr. George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.

WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 888-904-1676

NY Cardiology / Cardiac Center

Dr George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.

WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Call: 888-904-1676

Laser Vein Treatment Monroe, NY

Dr. Arlen Fleisher
Arlen Fleisher

Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530

Call: 800-900-7749