Intermittent exercise

Intermittent rather than continuous exercise is better for your heart, says a research.

Exercise buffs can take a break now. University of Missouri-Columbia researchers have now suggested that intermittent rather than continuous exercise is better for your heart, particularly in those people susceptible to coronary heart disease, Type II diabetes and obesity.

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The study reveals that 30 minutes of intermittent exercise effectively lowers artery blocking fat in the bloodstream. People who engage in this sort of physical activity can lower triglyceride levels after consuming a high fat meal.

"Most Americans who exercise are exercising around 30 minutes a day. Based on the results of the research, the intermittent approach would probably be best for most Americans at lowering fat in the bloodstream," claimed Thomas Altena, an assistant professor at the Southwest Missouri State University.

Thomas also noted that exercising before eating is crucial for fat reduction as muscle contraction during the exercise process stimulates a fat-clearing enzyme in the muscle.

Researchers also discovered enzyme activity peaking about 12 hours after a particular exercise session. They concluded that those who eat hefty breakfasts could benefit more from exercise in the evening, while those who eat large dinners could benefit more from exercise in the morning.

Thomas, however, said that the effect of exercise on fat clearing does not last for more than 24 hours. Therefore, one needs to indulge in physical activity on a daily basis to continuously stimulate the fat clearing system.