Advertisement
It literally can't get any easier than this.
A new study suggest that you only need to do one minute of intense exercise three times a week to significantly improve your health.
In the groundbreaking study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers took 16 overweight but otherwise healthy individuals that moved very little and asked them to workout on a stationary bike three times a week. During each workout, they were asked to do three 20-second sprints followed by two minutes of easy pedaling, plus a two minute warm up and a three minute cool-down, for a grand total of 10 minutes.
After six weeks of completing the 10-minute workout three times a week, researchers saw a significant change in the participants. On average, they had 12 percent greater cardiovascular endurance, healthier blood pressures, and higher levels of certain substances in muscles that increase activity of mitochondria, a marker of fitness.
Not only that, but the male participants had improved blood-sugar control, although the woman did not see a change in that department (something for another study to find out why).
Still, this news is incredible for anyone that is short on time (or motivation) that can physically sprint for 20 seconds at a time--so pretty much everyone. The study concluded that you don't even necessary need a stationary bike to replicate their study; any cardio will do.
While doing the bare minimum won't exactly make you lose lots of weight, it's incredible news for anyone that is looking to improve their health with minimal effort.
What do you think of this study? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Copyright © 2014 raulito39/Flickr
