Are You Intense . . . enough?

Several new research studies show that increasing exercise intensity can significantly improve fitness. This article explains.

ARE YOU INTENSE . . . ENOUGH?

by Phil Campbell, M.S., M.S.A., FACHE, AGE 50

Several new research studies show that increasing exercise intensity can significantly improve fitness. High-intensity exercise typically yields better results than low-intensity exercise, and activity.

Granted, if someone is not active, adding activity is a wise first step. However, researchers from several universities report that stepping-up exercise intensity will produce superior results - especially in cardiovascular fitness.

Heavy Teenagers Benefit
From High-Intensity Exercise

In a recent study, researchers report, "the cardiovascular fitness of obese adolescents was significantly improved by physical training, especially high-intensity physical training."

This study also revealed that heavy teenagers can handle high-intensity forms of exercise, (Effects of exercise intensity on cardiovascular fitness, total body composition, and visceral adiposity of obese adolescents, Gutin, 2002).

Older Adults Benefit
From More Intense Exercise

80 year old adults in a recent study experienced very positive fitness gains in aerobic capacity. And the older adults in the study were able to lower their blood pressure with more intense forms of exercise, (Effects of aerobic exercise training in community-based subjects aged 80 and older: a pilot study, Vaitkevicius, 2002).

Diabetic Patients Benefit From
Increasing Exercise Intensity

Researchers report, "High-intensity progressive resistance training, in combination with moderate weight loss, was effective in improving glycemic control in older patients with type 2 diabetes." (High-intensity resistance training improves glycemic control in older patients with type 2 diabetes, Dunstan, 2002).

The Take Home

If you're inactive, increasing activity is a wise first step (along with a physician's exam). Increasing activity will help build your body to handle more intense forms of exercise that have been shown to significantly improve fitness.

Ask yourself this question. "Am I progressively adding intensity during my workouts, or just am I just going through the motions?"

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Phil Campbell is the author of
Ready, Set, GO! Synergy Fitness"
Pristine Publishers Inc. USA
www.readysetgofitness.com

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National Library of Medicine links to research studies in newsletter:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12471297&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11976154&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12473013&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12351469&dopt=Abstract