Toss the gym membership and burn the running shoes. A new report from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology finds that all that’s needed to stay fit and healthy is 12 minutes of exercise — per week.
And those 12 minutes isn’t even done all in a row. Researchers suggest spreading it out over three days, in four-minute increments, the Daily Mail reported.
The findings tack on to known science — that regular exercise that boosts oxygen intake leads to cardiovascular improvement and better fitness. But what’s always been the big bone of controversy was the ’how much’ factor: Just how many minutes of exercise are needed to achieve the fitness improvements?
Researchers with the Centre of Exercise in Medicine at the Trondheim, Norwegian school say 12 minutes.
“Our data suggests that a single bout of high intensity exercise performed three times per week may be a time efficient strategy to improve oxygen uptake,” said Arnt Erik Tjonna, study leader, in the Daily Mail.
The researchers reached their conclusions after studying and tracking changes in oxygen levels and cardiovascular risk factors on 24 inactive and overweight men for a period of 10 week, the Daily Mail said.
SEE ALSO: Scientists suggest beer after a workout
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.