BBC News reports this week on a study by the University of Glamorgan that finds short bursts of exercise may be just as beneficial as longer, sustained exercise like jogging or cycling. One of the researchers who conducted the study said, “Six 30-second sprints three times a week can have the same health and weight-loss benefits as jogging or cycling for up to 45 minutes several times a week.” The researchers point out that high-intensity workout programs are more likely to be followed regularly by participants, ostensibly because they’re less painful and time consuming.
I have a couple problems with this study, though admittedly I don’t know anything about it beyond what’s written in the BBC article. First, the claim that a high intensity workout 3 times a week can have the same effect as jogging or cycling “several” times a week doesn’t sound too scientific to me. Does several mean 3 times a week or 6 times a week? Obviously that’s a big difference to most people and it could imply a high intensity workout is just as effective as a jog or that it’s TWICE as effective (in the case of “several” meaning 6).
Secondly, the researchers mention the high intensity exercise program is more effective because it’s more likely to be followed than a traditional jogging program. To me that’s not really a fair comparison. Of course a high intensity exercise program that IS followed is more effective than a jogging program that ISN’T – but does that imply one exercise is better for us than the other?
Finally, the article makes a note that these short sprints are often accomplished in peoples’ daily routines – running to catch the bus, jogging to get out of the rain, etc. If even unhealthy or overweight people are already doing these things, why aren’t they just as healthy as regular runners? Perhaps the study implies this type of everyday exertion is a “baseline” and that by adding just a few more exertions per week participants can increase health and fitness?
Call me a skeptic but I think I’ll stick to my 4-5 day a week jogging routine. That’s not to say you won’t see me sprinting on the track every now and then – intervals make you faster, you know!