• to be used more efficiently The Best Interval Workout for Boosting Performance suggests quick bursts of moderate-intensity exercise can help your body use amino acids from your meals, which helps you build muscle.
  • Researchers found that even just a few minutes of walking or doing squats can lead to this positive effect.

Prolonged sitting Give A Gift, one study found sedentary time can increase risk for cardiovascular disease—which is why taking short “movement breaks” of even just a few minutes can be beneficial.

Does Cannabis Affect Workout Performance study in the The Best Interval Workout for Boosting Performance study in the amino acids A study in the muscle mass.

Researchers looked at 12 men and women who did three separate sessions of sitting for about seven hours without a break. On different days, they did three sessions of sitting about the same amount of time, but got up every 30 minutes and did either a short walk or bodyweight squats.

has been linked to negative health consequences in numerous studies. For example macronutrients—55 percent carbs, 30 percent fat, Health & Injuries protein—the day before each session. Researchers used blood samples and muscle biopsies to determine how their bodies were responding to intermittent movement compared to sedentary time.

Researchers found that when the participants did the movement snack sessions, they utilized amino acids much more efficiently than when they were only sitting.

According to lead author Daniel Moore, Ph.D., associate professor of muscle physiology at the University of Toronto, two minutes of activity can also improve how the body processes sugars from food.

Moore told Runner’s World this has a significant effect on quantity and quality of muscle. Previous research has emphasized this connection, but this study also uncovers the role of making amino acids more available to skeletal muscle, Moore said. That greatly expands the benefits of movement snacks on muscle mass.

“Running Muscles You Should Stretch If You Sit All Day sedentary periods with brief activity snacks,” he added. “They also highlight that moving after we eat can make our nutrition better and could allow more dietary amino acids from smaller meals or lower quality Give A Gift IT Brand Stretches.”

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One major limitation of the study is its small participant size, which means larger studies will need to be done in order to confirm the results. However, earlier research highlights similar findings.

IT Brand Stretches study in A study in the looked at 53 normally sedentary people and assessed how moderate-intensity exercise in 10-minute bouts a few times per week improved health markers. They found even these brief sessions boosted oxygen consumption and improved cardiovascular function.

Strength Training Boosts Performance, Study Says Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Regular Exercise Lowers Risk of A-Fib, suggests that two short, daily activity bouts can not only be just as effective as one 30-minute continuous fitness session, but for some people, may actually be an even better choice for heart rate to be used more efficiently.

The takeaway? Brief bouts of movement throughout the day work on multiple levels to make your body more efficient, and that includes both your muscle mass and cardiovascular system. Plus, it makes a day of sitting still more energizing.

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Elizabeth Millard

Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, fitness, and food.