Short Bursts of Exercise Seen as Effective as Endurance Activities

“Multiple short bursts of exercise may be as beneficial as endurance activities such as jogging or cycling, suggests a study by researchers at the University of Glamorgan in Wales. ‘Six 30-second sprints three times a week can have the same health and weight-loss benefits as jogging or cycling for up to 45 minutes several times a week,’ said study co-author Professor Julien Baker, BBC News reported. And people may be more likely to exercise using a program that features sprints because it's more practical in terms of time, Baker noted. ‘For children who are overweight or obese, it may be better to put them on an intermittent program of high-intensity exercise for a short period,’ he said, BBC News reported. ‘This type of activity may also be used as a defense for cardiovascular disease, and research carried out in the laboratory has shown significant reductions in post-exercise blood pressure,’ Baker added. ‘These findings indicate that intermittent exercise may provide similar benefits as prolonged moderate exercise in the treatment for hypertension.’”

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