Exercise Snacks: A Novel Strategy to Improve Cardiometabolic Health
Hashim Islam, Martin J. Gibala, Jonathan P. Little
Abstract
We define exercise snacks as isolated ≤1-min bouts of vigorous exercise performed periodically throughout the day. We hypothesize that exercise snacks are a feasible, well-tolerated, and time-efficient approach to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce the negative impact of sedentary behavior on cardiometabolic health. Efficacy has been demonstrated in small proof-of-concept studies. Additional research should investigate this novel physical activity strategy.
Topics & Concepts
Cardiorespiratory fitnessMedicinePhysical activityPhysical therapyCardiovascular healthExercise physiologyPhysical fitnessSedentary behaviorPhysical medicine and rehabilitationPhysical exerciseSedentary lifestyleHealth benefitsMEDLINEObesityEnergy expenditureDiseaseCardiovascular fitnessAerobic exerciseExercise prescriptionGerontologyCardiovascular and exercise physiologyPhysical Activity and HealthObesity, Physical Activity, Diet