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.
Article originally appeared on Eat for Health, Move for Life : The Paleo Lifestyle (http://www.thefitnessexplorer.com/).
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