Good news! If you want to get in shape, you don’t need to commit to walking 10,000 steps or a 45-minute spin class. New research shows that a few “exercise snacks” a day might be all you need.
According to an article by the British Heart Foundation, “adding a few short bursts of exercise to your day like stair climbing can boost your fitness and improve your heart health.” It touts the findings of a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that showed short bursts of exercise known as ‘exercise snacks’ can improve cardiorespiratory fitness. The best part is exercise snacks can be performed several times a day as part of your usual routine.
For the study, participants over the age of 65 mainly performed leg strength exercises or tai chi movements. The article says people’s cardiorespiratory fitness (the amount of oxygen their body was able to use during exercise) increased after they added exercise snacks to their routine.
The study also showed that exercise snacking helps improve fitness for those participants who were previously physically inactive, as it offers an easier way to add exercise to your daily routine.
For more tips on maintaining an active lifestyle, check out our other articles on Council of Seniors 365.
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