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Short bursts of intense exercise aren’t too good to be true when it comes to returning to post COVID-19 blocking form.
And it can help build a stronger, healthier heart.
Dr Andrew Keech, an exercise physiology researcher at the University of NSW Medicine, says high-intensity interval training, known as HIIT, is anything but a celebrity fad.
Dr. Keech has been studying the science of exercise for 20 years and says HIIT is superior to traditional moderate-intensity training, such as a long slow jog.
“HIIT is an elegant way of saying, ‘work hard for a while, recover and then do it all again.’ This is what athletes have been doing for many years,” says Dr. Keech.
He said research showed HIIT was effective in improving aerobic fitness and conditions such as blood pressure, body fat levels, and glucose control.
“Even if you rarely train, it’s never too late to start doing HIIT,” said Dr. Keech.
“As you get fitter, you decrease the risk of early mortality and this is especially important for those who haven’t exercised much in their life. You can get a great deal of benefit by starting regular exercise.”
And for those busy and short on time, HIIT has an edge in that it’s fast over a long, slow run.
“HIIT is not a fad: it is a true intervention with a number of advantages over training (continuous moderate intensity), including time efficiency, fun and the challenge of mastering a concentrated form of exercise” .
Designing a schedule that builds up gradually with shorter exercises and longer rest periods helps those who find exercise strenuous and unattractive, he says.
“HIIT can encourage positive changes that improve health and, ultimately, reduce the risk of premature death.”
Australian Associated Press
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