Ex.2010.02.26
A week's exercise could be squeezed into one hour, say experts
Intense exercise sessions could squeeze a week's worth of exercise into one workout of one hour, according to a new study.
Interval training was originally developed for Olympic athletes and thought to be too strenuous for normal people.
But in recent years, studies in older people and those with health problems suggest many more people might be able to benefit from them saving millions of hours in the gym every week.
"High-intensity interval training is twice as effective as normal exercise," said Jan Helgerud, an exercise expert at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. "This is like finding a new pill that works twice as well ... we should immediately throw out the old way of exercising."
Intense interval training means working very hard for a few minutes, with rest periods in between sets. Experts have mostly tested people running or biking, but other sports like rowing or swimming should also work.
Helgerud recommends people try four sessions lasting four minutes each, with three minutes of recovery time in between. Unless you're an elite athlete, it shouldn't be an all-out effort.
"You should be a little out of breath, but you shouldn't have the obvious feeling of exhaustion," Helgerud said.
In Britain and the U.S., officials recommend that people get about two and a half hours each week of moderate exercise.
Helgerud says that time could be slashed dramatically if people did interval training instead. He said officials have been too afraid of recommending intense training, fearing it might be too much for some people.
"I'm much more afraid of people not exercising at all," he said. "Inactivity is what's killing us."
When compared to people on a normal exercise routine, like jogging, research has shown those doing interval training can double their endurance, improve their oxygen use and strength by more than 10 percent, and their speed by at least 5 percent. Even studies in the elderly and in heart patients found they had better oxygen use and fitness after doing interval training.
Howevr, most studies have been done in young, healthy adults, and experts advise people to consult a doctor before starting any fitness program.
Intense bursts of activity help the body to build stronger muscles.
"A lot of the (benefits) from exercise are due to a stress response," said Stephen Bailey, a sports sciences expert at the University of Exeter. "If you disturb your muscles, there's an imbalance created and your body will start signaling pathways that result in adjustments."
Bailey said intense bursts of exercise help the body to convert one type of muscle fibre into another type that uses oxygen more efficiently and is capable of exercising a lot longer. Even though interval training only takes a few minutes, its effects last for hours.
"You've exercised at such a high intensity that you're going to create a massive disturbance in your muscles," Bailey said. "That creates a higher metabolism for several hours afterward, which the body will bring down by burning fat and carbohydrates."
Helgerud and others predicted that as further studies confirm interval training is safe for wider populations, authorities will include it in their exercise guidelines.
"This is definitely the way forward to save time on your exercise," Nicholls said. "The results are worth it."
Millions of people 'waste their time by jogging'
Millions of people who strive to keep fit by jogging, swimming or going to the gym are wasting their time, scientists said.- people 'waste their time by jogging'> http://tinyurl.com/yc8hcov
getting regular, moderate exercise for 30 to 45 minutes every day will help to keep your body and mind healthy and resilient. Use these four tips to overcome any excuses:
- Excuse: You don't have time for it. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes a day of aerobic activity, 30 minutes of strength training two or three times a week, and aim for the same number of minutes for flexibility and balance training.
- Excuse: You're too old to start. Sports physiology has demonstrated that the body can build muscle and improve strength well into the ninth decade. At whatever age you commit to regular physical activity, the benefits will accrue. It is never too late to start.
- Excuse: You don't know how. Read books, watch DVDs, work with trainers, and take classes. All are great introductions to a variety of exercises.
- Excuse: You just don't like it. Most people who are not in the habit of exercising have to struggle at first to build positive inertia. The inactive body can be lazy and sluggish. Most people who stick with their physical activity routines soon find them rewarding. Physical activity makes you feel better, physically and emotionally, in part, perhaps, because of endorphin release and changes in metabolism. Even if you feel sluggish when you start your aerobic exercise, it is likely to soon become pleasurable.
www.sciencedaily.com
ScienceDaily (June 17, 2009) A new study by The George Institute for International Health has found Tai Chi to have positive health benefits for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the first comprehensive ..Interesting Website : http://change4life.icnetwork.co.uk/
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