There is no difference between continuous and accumulated patterns of exercise in terms of effects on fitness , blood pressure , lipids , insulin and glucose .
There is some evidence from a small number of studies that changes in body mass and LDL cholesterol are more favourable following the accumulated condition .
Collectively our findings suggest that adults are likely to accrue similar health benefits from exercising in a single bout or accumulating activity from shorter bouts throughout the day .
Public health guidelines suggest that physical activity can be accumulated in multiple short bouts dispersed through the day .
A synthesis of the evidence for this approach is lacking .
Our objective was to undertake a systematic review and meta- analysis to examine if exercise interventions consisting of a single bout of exercise compared with interventions comprising the same total duration , mode , and intensity of exercise accumulated over the course of the day have different effects on health outcomes in adults .
Providing sedentary adults with choices for meeting their walking goals.
BACKGROUND This study was design ed to test different ways of meeting the new ACSM/CDC recommendations for physical activity stating that all Americans at least 2 years of age should obtain 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on most days of the week . METHODS Thirty-two sedentary 18- to 55-year-old adults were r and omly assigned to three groups of brisk walking/6 days per week : 30 continuous minutes , three 10-minute bouts , and 30 minutes in any combination of bouts as long as each bout was at least 5 minutes .  Aerobic fitness , blood pressure , body composition , and physical activity were assessed at baseline , at end of program ( 16 weeks ) , and at follow-up ( 32 weeks ) . RESULTS All groups significantly ( P < /= 0.05 ) improved their aerobic fitness and systolic blood pressure and increased their physical activity at the end of the program . At follow-up all groups maintained these changes , while additionally reducing their percentage body fat and diastolic blood pressure . CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that a walking prescription of 30 minutes per day on most days of the week with the choice to walk in as little as 5 minute bouts can improve cardiovascular health and body composition , as well as help sedentary people maintain those improvements over time . This is supported by all participants indicating that " making walking part of my lifestyle " was the most important factor in maintaining their walking habits
There is no difference between continuous and accumulated patterns of exercise in terms of effects on fitness , blood pressure , lipids , insulin and glucose .
There is some evidence from a small number of studies that changes in body mass and LDL cholesterol are more favourable following the accumulated condition .
Collectively our findings suggest that adults are likely to accrue similar health benefits from exercising in a single bout or accumulating activity from shorter bouts throughout the day .
Public health guidelines suggest that physical activity can be accumulated in multiple short bouts dispersed through the day .
A synthesis of the evidence for this approach is lacking .
Our objective was to undertake a systematic review and meta- analysis to examine if exercise interventions consisting of a single bout of exercise compared with interventions comprising the same total duration , mode , and intensity of exercise accumulated over the course of the day have different effects on health outcomes in adults .