Health: Brief Periods of Intense Exercise Better For The Heart?

A study taken over a 20 year period states that for those currently active, brief periods of hard intense exercise are better for longevity and heart health than steady state low-intensity exercise.

Doing both is the most beneficial.

Here are the benefits of exercise listed:

• Maximal oxygen uptake improves (improves aerobic capacity);
• Insulin sensitivity increases (reduces risk of Type II diabetes);
• Lipid profile improves (better cholesterol and trigylceride results);
• Blood pressure lowers (can reduce one's risk of life-threatening complications);
• Platelet aggregation increases; (improves ability for the blood to clot);
• Fibrinolytic activity increases (this can reduce artery plaque and decrease the risk of coronary heart disease);
• Cardiac function improves (leads to a healthier heart);
• Immune function improves (improves ability to contract or fight an infection);
• Inflammation markers reduces (decreases risk of chronic lifestyle diseases);
• Obesity reduces; (a significant positive impact on health);
• Psychological function improves (reduces stress and well-being);

Also note the study found brief periods of high-intensity exercise have more of a pronounced impact on the above than low-intensity exercise.

The news article from The Daily Telegraph can be viewed below: -->

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8730084/Dont-just-plod-if-you-want-a-longer-life-say-heart-experts.html

A link to the full study can be found in the references.