Short bursts of exercise can benefit heart

New research has shown that the heart can benefit from short bursts of high-intensity exercise.

Scientists at the McMaster University have compared different methods of physical training and published their findings in the American Journal of Physiology, Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

Individuals were compared doing 30-second short sprint intervals three days a week to those doing up to 60 minutes of moderate cycling five days a week.

The results found that the participants doing sprint intervals showed an improvement in the function and structure of blood vessels and arteries that was equivalent to the longer endurance exercise group.

Maureen MacDonald, professor at the university's department of kinesiology, said: "Our research certainly provides evidence that this type of exercise training is as effective as traditional moderate intensity training.

"We wouldn't be surprised to see more rehabilitation programs adopt this method of training since it is often better tolerated in diseased populations."

The Daily Record recently reported that many fitness clubs in Scotland were offering bite-size workout for people who lead busy lives, scheduling classes before work and during lunch hours.