Want to get the performance and health benefits of a high-intensity workout in just 10 minutes a day? There’s no more excuses after you read about the results of this study.
High-intensity workouts are popular because these exercises are ideal for weight loss. One of the most important benefits include increased cardiovascular health. As usual, most people tend to procrastinate exercising because they are too “busy.” However, a recent study shows that you can get a high-intensity workout in only 10 minutes.
It sounds a little too good to be true, but the secret is in short bursts of high-intensity cycling.
Short Bursts of Cycling
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin showed that a workout of intense but very short bursts of cycling between rest periods can give you the equivalent of a high-intensity workout in 10 minutes.
The study involved young volunteer participants. They cycled at maximum effort for four seconds and rested for 15 to 30 seconds before beginning another four-second sprint. Each sprint-rest bout was repeated up to 30 times in a single workout session, for a total of 10 minutes. They did this cycling workout three times a week for eight weeks.
Increased Performance and Health
After the eight weeks, the participants showed increased maximum oxygen consumption. This meant they increased their aerobic exercise endurance. They also showed increase in strength and total blood volume. This indicated that their athletic performance and cardiovascular health levels improved.
In short, the workout gave them the benefits of a high-intensity workout in just 10 minutes a day, and they only did the workout 3 times a week. In theory, you could use a stationary exercise bike, so you don’t even have to venture outside.
The study was presented at the Experimental Biology scientific conference in April 2021.
With such a short workout time, you should be motivated to start doing these exercises. Who couldn’t squeeze in 10 minutes a day for 3 times a week? After just eight weeks, you can experience improved athletic performance and cardiovascular health too!
(Of course, check with your doctor before doing any high-intensity exercises if you have health conditions.)
