Quality of exercise matters more than quantity, new study finds

Current assumptions about exercise hold that frequency of activity is a strong component of total body health.

Yet a new study from Skidmore College reveals that a multi-dimensional exercise routine, including a range of different activities, is more beneficial than simply doing one type of exercise often or, not surprisingly, being inactive.

Study author and exercise scientist Paul Arciero says that guidelines about exercise and diet put forth by health organizations can be confusing, which was the impetus behind his research.

"They're well intended, but they're complex and they're not being communicated in a way that's easy for the public to understand and incorporate in their daily lifestyle," Arciero said in a press release. "I wanted to test an exercise protocol with a nutritional component that's simple and understandable for people."


Variety is key

The study was a 16-week trial that had three different subject groups consuming the same amount of whey protein - 60 grams per day - but exercising differently. All of the subjects were considered out of shape and overweight at the beginning of the study.

At the end of the trial, those who had the greatest reduction in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and improvements in blood glucose control were the ones who had performed a combination of resistance training, interval exercise, stretching (like yoga or pilates) and endurance activities.

"It's not about simply doing more exercise," Arciero said. "It's about doing the appropriate range of exercises and activities that most effectively promote health and fitness."

Additionally, the group that didn't exercise at all - but still increased protein intake - showed decreases in abdominal fat.


PRISE

Coining the term "PRISE," Arciero said the acronym can help the public remember what exercises and diet components need to be a part of a person's weekly routine: protein, resistance, interval, stretching and endurance.

"After all, it's about 'keeping your 'eye on the PRISE' in order to achieve optimal health," he concluded.

Source: Skidmore College


More Articles

With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.

Farro...

Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....

With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...

If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...

In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.

When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...

More Articles

If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....

For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.

A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...

According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...

Eleven Clinical Studies

After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...

Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...

Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...

Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...

Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...

Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....

When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...

Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.

The...

Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...

Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...

Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...

One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...