With the responsibilities of job, social and
family, endurance athletes are often time challenged. And sometimes they give
short shrift to their workout. However a new study shows that less may be more
or at least equal. In a recently published study researchers compared the
effect of a high intensity shorter work out to a traditional longer, moderate
intensity exercise bout on mitochondrial adaptations. Subjects underwent either
five four-minute bouts at 75% peak power output each separated by one minute of
rest or one 30 minute bout at 50% peak power output.
Researchers measured metabolic changes in the
mitochondria, the energy producing factories in muscle cells. Improvements in
endurance performance are directly correlated with mitochondrial adaptations.
The researchers found that fewer minutes of higher intensity exercise produced
similar mitochondrial responses that resulted in positive beneficial metabolic
adaptations as the longer, lower intensity workout.
The investigators concluded exercise may be
prescribed according to individual preferences and still produce beneficial
metabolic adaptations.
Posted by Dr. Robert Portman on 6/20/2019 to
Performance Tip Of The Week