Another study has concluded that short bursts of physical activity – called “exercise snacks” – can significantly improve cardiorespiratory fitness in adults, according to a team of European researchers.
After looking at 11 studies involving more than 400 physically inactive adults, they found that, over a one- to three-month period, the people who did bursts of vigorous activity (lasting around five minutes or less) at least twice a day for three to seven days a week showed notable improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness.
Stair-climbing was a common activity among young and middle-aged participants, while older participants favored leg-focused strength exercises and tai chi. More than 80% of the participants stuck with the program, the researchers found. They encourage people to try these “short, flexible exercise bouts that are easier to integrate into daily routines.”
In addition, “the time-efficient nature of exercise snacks may help overcome common barriers to physical activity, such as perceived lack of time and low motivation,” the researchers said.
The study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
