Hey Ron,

Cool…thanks for sharing! I’ll check it out.

I’m also a HUGE fan of interval training. I HATE to run long distances…which to me is anything more than 100 yards at a time…and long, boring cardio is not something I’m fond of either. I like to get all of my exercise completed in less than 1 hour per day. To get the most value from my time, interval training is the way to go!

Thanks again,

~ Pete

Pete – The best research info I’ve come up with so far is in Wisloff, U., A. Stoylen, et al. (2007). “Superior Cardiovascular Effect of Aerobic Interval Training Versus Moderate Continuous Training in Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Study.” Circulation 115(24): 3086-3094. The authors speculate: “Why AIT (aerobic interval training) was more effective is unknown, but it appears reasonable to speculate that higher shear stress during the exercise bouts of AIT patients triggers larger responses at the cellular and molecular level.”

P.S. – The interval training method is working for me. I like to stay in shape but I’m no exercise nut. With interval training I can accomplish more with less time. As a result (for instance) my semi-annually run 5K time has been gradually drifting downward despite limited training time on my part.

Hey Ron,

Hmmm…haven’t heard of that one before. Interesting theory. I’d have to review the research before commenting.

Thanks!

~ Pete

I’ve also heard of an additional benefit of sprint training (or interval training). By temporarily increasing the speed of your blood flow, you “scour out” some of the built up plaque in your arteries. Any comment on that?

LOL.. you’ve talked me into it.

I will start tomorrow morning. The nice thing is that it’s only a few mins. I like to do my exercise in the AM, before any meal. But due to early school schedule I am forced to lift in evenings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays I just go for a 30 to 45 minutes walk. But believe me.. after tomorrow I will do sprints every morning, first thing before leaving my room. I’ll give it at least two months. Thanks.

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by HealthyMinute, Kevin. Kevin said: RT @HealthyMinute: Sprint Training Benefits http://bit.ly/ct8sUJ // Just added a comment. Read the article & add join the conversation. [...]

Hi Kevin,

I agree with your brother and his trainer! You CAN do this workout on training days too…I do. Just do it first thing in the morning when you wake up, and then train later in the day after eating a couple of meals OR do it immediately after your workout. The only days I skip are leg day and day after leg day…for obvious reasons.

Have fun and let me know how it works out for you!

~ Pete

My brother was talking this workout method up.

His trainer has him basically jog in place, then sprint, then jog, then sprint, and so on (just like you said you do while traveling).

This is fairly recent, a few months back that he started and he said it’s working wonders for him. But I forgot about it until I read this article.

I will definitely give it a shot during my next non-weightlifting day.

Kevin :: Glyco Trainer
On Twitter: @glycotrainer
Web Site: http://www.GlycoTrainer.com