Intense 3-minute workout cuts sugar risk

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- A regular high-intensity, three-minute workout has a significant effect on the body's ability to process sugars, researchers in Scotland found.

James Timmons and a team of researchers from Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh investigated the effect of "high-intensity interval training" on the metabolic prowess of 16 sedentary male volunteers.

"The risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes is substantially reduced through regular physical activity," Timmons said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, many people feel they simply don't have the time to follow current exercise guidelines. What we have found is that doing a few intense muscle exercises, each lasting only about 30 seconds, dramatically improves your metabolism in just two weeks."

Current exercise guidelines suggest that people should perform moderate to vigorous aerobic and resistance exercise for several hours per week. While these guidelines are very worthwhile in principle, Timmons suggested that a lack of compliance indicates the need for an alternative.

The subjects in this trial used exercise bikes to perform a quick sprint at their highest possible intensity. In principle, however, any highly vigorous activity carried out a few days per week should achieve the same protective metabolic improvements, Timmons said.

Before an exercise program is begun -- especially an intense workout -- people should check with their doctors.

The findings are published in the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders.