New research on sprints

Werner1950

Have a look at this article that Scientific American is pointing to. It is telling us that short 30 second sprints burn more calories than 30 minute events on the treadmill... what do you think?

http://www.the-aps.org/mm/hp/Audiences/Public-Press/For-the-Press/releases/12/37.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=short-interval-training-burns-big-c-12-10-23

Azdak

As always, thanks for sharing the link.

Some observations:

1. Not to discount the study, but I am always wary of this website. They do not always employ the highest standards of scientific rigor.

2. It's one thing to say "everybody do 100% intervals" and another thing for people to actually do them. The majority of people either don't know how or physically cannot work out at that level. Many could learn or be couched or pushed, but I don't think it's feasible as a general prescription. 75% of the adult population cannot bring themselves to do a standard, moderate, 20-min cardio workout--you really think those people are going to do sprints every day?

3. There is a common flaw to this study and to many other recommendations for activities, habits, etc, that "can burn an extra 100 or 200 calories a day", and "100 extra calories a day adds up to 11 pounds of fat per year". How many people successfully and permanently lose 11 pounds of fat per year? Not many. The numbers sound easy, but reality tells a different story. There are many variables that affect both our calorie intake and our calorie output. Life being what it is, that "200 calories" will rarely result in a net calorie deficit for any great length of time.

That being said, studies like this and others like are helping to further our knowledge about the effects of high-intensity activity. Each study adds another building block that will eventually translate into practical recommendations for different groups.

Mummyadams

Wihout reading your link, I have always understood that interval running is much better than 'steady state' (continuous running) for calorie burning. Interested to read what others say.

clee369

I prefer to be couched and pushed