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 30 August 2008 18:02 BST

'Take a break' to boost weight loss

Wednesday, 18 Jul 2007 12:03
Resting between exercise could boost fat burning

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Taking a break in the middle of your work-out could help to burn off more fat than exercising without stopping.

Japanese researchers compared two different types of exercising: the first a bout of 60-minute exercise with an hour's rest afterwards; and the second two bouts of 30-minute exercise with a 20-minute rest period between them followed by an hour's rest period.

Seven healthy men with an average age of 25 exercised on a cycling machine in one of the two methods.

Blood samples, respiration and heart rates were monitored throughout the trial.

Men taking part in the repeated exercises with a break had a greater amount of fat breakdown (lipolysis) than those exercising continually.

The repeated trial also had a marked increase in free fatty acids and glycerol (chemical compounds that are released when stored fat is used) in the final 15 minutes of exercise.

These concentrations increased progressively throughout the single exercise bout trial.

Lead researcher Dr Kazushige Goto said the findings could help to inform future exercise regimes.

"Many people believe prolonged exercise will be optimal in order to reduce body fat, but our study has shown that repetitions of shorter exercise may cause enhancements of fat mobilisation and utilisation during and after the exercise," he added.

"Most people are reluctant to perform a single bout of prolonged exercise. The repeated exercise with shorter bouts of exercise will be a great help [in keeping up with fitness]."

Further research will now be undertaken to explore the results in a variety of exercise durations as well as in different types of individuals.
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