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 .
The effects of short- vs. long-bout exercise on mood, VO2max, and percent body fat.
BACKGROUND To compare the ACSM-CDC physical activity accumulation recommendation to the traditional recommendation , for impact on mood and physiological markers of fitness . METHODS R and omized controlled trial with sedentary male ( n = 21 ) and female ( n = 19 ) subjects assigned to walk either long bouts ( LB ; 30 min/day ) , short bouts ( SB ; 3 x 10 min/day ) , or a nonexercise control ( CTL ) group for 8 weeks . Pre- and post- measures were collected for V02max and percent body fat . Pre- , mid- , and post- measures were collected for the Profile of Mood States ( POMS ) . RESULTS VO2max increased in the SB group ( + 7.2 % ) and LB ( + 6.7 % ; P < or = 0.05 ) . Percent body fat decreased in the LB group ( -6.7 % ; P < or = 0.05 ) . Total mood disturbance ( TMD ) decreased in the LB and SB groups ( P < or = 0.05 ) ; only the LB group showed reductions compared to the CTL group ( P < or = 0.05 ) . Tension-anxiety and vigor-activity were altered in the LB group compared to the other two groups ( P < or = 0.05 ) . Reductions in percent body fat correlated with TMD ( r = 0.38 ; P < or = 0.05 ) and Tension-anxiety reduction ( r = 0.40 ; P < or = 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS LB and SB walking produced similar and significant improvements in VO2max LB walking was more effective at reducing percent body fat , tension-anxiety and total mood disturbance , and increasing vigor compared to the control group
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 .