Everyone agrees with the recommendation for regular, moderate exercise. However, how much exercise is not that clear. Now results from a small study suggest that ideally, daily exercise should come in one steady dose, instead of 10 minutes here and there.
In a study of 30 middle-aged women, researchers found that walking briskly for 30 minutes straight burned more calories compared with taking three 10-minute walks throughout the day. The calorie difference could amount to losing roughly 5 pounds per year.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia measured the women's calorie expenditure over three days: one in which they walked briskly for 30 minutes; another in which the exercise was broken into three 10-minute walks; and one day of rest.
They found that continuous walking burned about 60 more calories per day than "intermittent" walking. While the difference may seem small, according to the researchers it can translate into a significant difference in weight over time
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.