6 MINS Exercise Every Week As Good As 6 HRS Workout in Gym
Posted on: Monday, 6 June 2005, 06:00 CDT
KEEP FIT fanatics who spend hours sweating in the gym could get the same results with SIX MINUTES of exercise in front of the TV, experts say.
They have discovered men and women who train for six hours a week trying to get trim at the gym could do it with three workout sessions at home - lasting just two minutes each.
It is good news for couch potatoes who hate the idea of pounding the treadmill or getting sweaty on tough rowing machines.
All that is involved is cycling on an exercise bike at top speed for four furious 30-second bursts.
Professor Martin Gibala, who carried out the research, said: "The whole excuse, 'I don't have time to exercise' is directly challenged by these findings.
"This has the potential to change the way we think about keeping fit. We have shown that a person can get the same benefits in fitness and health in a much shorter period if they are willing to endure the discomfort of high intensity activity."
The study involved 23 men and women, aged between 25 and 35, who were tested on how long it took them to ride 18.6 miles.
The guinea pigs, all of whom already exercised regularly in their spare time, were split into three groups and given workout programmes which they had to carry out three times a week.
Group one cycled for two hours a day at a moderate pace.
Group two cycled for 10 minutes a day in 60-second bursts, at a slightly harder pace.
And group three sprinted at top speed for two minutes in 30- second bursts with four minutes' rest between each sprint.
After two weeks, the participants retook the 18.6 mile ride.
Amazingly, all 23 were found to have improved to the same extent.
Professor Gibala, of McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, said: "We thought there would be benefits but we did not expect them to be this obvious.
"It shows how effective short, intense exercise can be."
His findings were published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
It is now hoped more people will be persuaded to take up regular exercise, even if it is pedalling a fitness bike while watching TV for a few minutes each week.
Doctors are becoming increasingly concerned over rising levels of obesity in Britain. Prof Gibala said: "Now you can achieve more fitness with a few minutes work."
Source: Daily Mirror
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