Exercise snacking (Bite-size chunks of exercise) is better for weight, body fat & LDL cholesterol

Exercise less but more often is the latest concept of exercise snacking” according Dr Marie Murphy at Ulster University. This concept has taken the scientific world by storm. Research has revealed that doing multiple, short bursts of exercise during the day could match the health and fitness benefits of one long session, with some studies even suggesting it could help you burn more calories and lose more weight.

Dr Murphy who has been researching the concept of exercise snacking since it first emerged, explains “When we break up exercise into smaller chunks, it increases the number of times we’re stimulating our metabolism. When we stop exercising, our metabolism keeps going a little bit quicker while we recover. You still have that metabolic mill turning a little bit quicker. Over the course of the day or week, this might lead us expending more energy that we would have in one long session.”  A recent analysis of numerous individual studies found that breaking up moderate intensity exercise into bite-sized chunks was actually better at reduction participants’ weight, body fat and their levels of LDL cholesterol.

Dr Murphy further said “ When we exercise, we contract our muscles, and in the process, Glucose moves froonlm the blood and into muscle. One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who were asked to do just six, one minute bout of vigorous exercise had better control of their blood sugar levels not only on that day, but also control of their blood sugar levels not only on that day, but also for the 24 hours following. This particular mechanism maintains better control over our blood sugar, and in the long run, may help reduce our risk of type 2 diabetes.

Murphy further said “I think stair climbing is definitely a winner. Two minutes of stair climbing over the course of the day, over an eight week period, could improve resting blood pressure and fats in the blood.