A small High Intensity Training (HIT) study claims that short bursts of exercise could be beneficial to the elderly.
The study, which was conducted by a team at Abertay University, claims that six seconds of HIT can be good for seniors. In the study, 12 seniors worked out on an exercise bike for six seconds at a time, letting their hearts recover in between workouts, until they reached a full minute of exercise, reports BBC News.
The seniors took part in the HIT study twice a week for six weeks. Results showed blood pressure drop by 9% and it also increased the amount of oxygen that got to the muscles. The workout could also be an alternative to long workouts, which can put stress on the heart, BBC News notes.
“They enjoyed it, were delighted with the effects it had on their health and, on top of that, felt they could fit it into their lives, which is something they aren’t able to do with current exercise recommendations,” Dr. John Babraj, lecturer in Exercise Physiology at Abertay University,told STV News.
