Exercise “snacks”—short bursts of physical activity—have been found to be an effective way of boosting the cardiorespiratory fitness of physically inactive adults, according to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. These exercise snacks offer a practical and scalable approach to counter the negative effects of prolonged sitting and physical inactivity on health.
The research focused on evaluating the effects of exercise snacks on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, and cardiometabolic factors in sedentary or physically inactive adults. The study included 11 clinical trials involving a total of 414 participants, with the majority being women.
Exercise snacks were defined as short bursts of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity lasting 5 minutes or less, done at least twice a day for 3 to 7 days a week. The activities ranged from stair climbing to strength exercises and tai chi, depending on the age group of the participants.
The results showed that exercise snacking significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness in adults, although the impact on muscular endurance in older adults was limited. Compliance with the exercise snacks was high, with 91% of participants adhering to the program.
While there were some limitations to the study, such as the varying study designs and methodologies, the researchers concluded that exercise snacks could help overcome common barriers to physical activity, such as lack of time and motivation. The time-efficient nature of exercise snacks makes them easier to integrate into daily routines, potentially enhancing adherence to regular physical activity.
In conclusion, exercise snacks offer a convenient and feasible way for physically inactive adults to improve their fitness levels and overall health. By providing short, flexible exercise bouts that can be easily incorporated into daily routines, exercise snacks may help individuals overcome barriers to regular physical activity and lead a more active lifestyle.
