What the science says about how to get active (and make it stick)
Jan 9, 2024
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Martin Gibala, Professor of kinesiology at McMaster University in Canada, discusses the benefits of regular physical activity and exercise, including improved cardiovascular health and muscle efficiency. He explores the concepts of exercise snacks and personalized exercise routines for maximum results. The importance of adapting to specific conditions as we age is highlighted, as well as factors for sticking to an exercise routine such as starting small and having a workout partner. Even a few minutes of physical activity can make a difference.
Regular physical activity has numerous benefits for our health, including preventing chronic diseases and reducing symptoms of mental health disorders.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) provides unique health benefits and can be incorporated into various exercises, improving fitness, blood sugar control, and body composition.
Deep dives
The Benefits of Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity, including structured exercise, has numerous benefits for our hearts, bodies, and minds. It can prevent and manage heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Exercise improves our cardiovascular health, increases blood vessel elasticity, lowers blood pressure, and enhances muscle oxygen use for energy.
Guidelines for Physical Activity
The current recommendation for adults is to engage in 150 minutes of moderately vigorous activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, along with two muscle-strengthening exercises. These guidelines are based on strong epidemiological evidence linking these levels of exercise to lower mortality rates and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
The Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) offers unique benefits for overall health. It improves cardiorespiratory fitness and can be more effective than moderate exercise for certain outcomes. HIIT involves alternating between vigorous intensity exercise and short recovery periods. It can be incorporated into various exercises, even as simple as interval walking, and has shown positive effects on fitness, blood sugar control, and body composition.
As parks and gyms fill with people hoping to make 2024 their year of fitness, Ian Sample speaks to Martin Gibala, professor of kinesiology at McMaster University in Canada, about how much exercise we should be doing, the benefits of interval training, and how to make a new regime stick. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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