Trampoline-style aerobic exercise 'more effective than walking'
18/05/2010 Aerobic exercise, such as jumping on a trampoline, is more effective than using walking as a physical activity, a new study claims.
Researchers at the University of Alberta assessed over 100 men and women between the ages of 27 and 65 who were defined as being physically inactive.
The participants were split into three groups: those who took part in fitness training each week, those who were involved in a walking programme and those who continued to live a sedentary lifestyle.
Members of the group which took part in regular aerobic exercise were shown to have the largest changes in the factors which measure physical exertion, such as systolic blood pressure and ventilatory threshold.
However, all those who spent time exercising outdoors, either walking or taking part in an exercise scheme, were shown to have improved levels of fitness.
Gordon Bell, in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the university, said that walking requires a more long-term commitment.
"The participants in the traditional fitness programme improved their fitness-based response more than those in the walking programme. The magnitude of that difference in improvement was very clear," he added.
Tam Fry, spokesperson for the National Obesity Forum, has also suggested that short bursts of intensive exercise throughout the day could aid weight loss.
Researchers at the University of Alberta assessed over 100 men and women between the ages of 27 and 65 who were defined as being physically inactive.
The participants were split into three groups: those who took part in fitness training each week, those who were involved in a walking programme and those who continued to live a sedentary lifestyle.
Members of the group which took part in regular aerobic exercise were shown to have the largest changes in the factors which measure physical exertion, such as systolic blood pressure and ventilatory threshold.
However, all those who spent time exercising outdoors, either walking or taking part in an exercise scheme, were shown to have improved levels of fitness.
Gordon Bell, in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the university, said that walking requires a more long-term commitment.
"The participants in the traditional fitness programme improved their fitness-based response more than those in the walking programme. The magnitude of that difference in improvement was very clear," he added.
Tam Fry, spokesperson for the National Obesity Forum, has also suggested that short bursts of intensive exercise throughout the day could aid weight loss.
