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Moderate exercise better than gym madness
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COUCH potatoes can get rid of their blubber more easily through gentle exercise rather than frantic bursts at the gym, says a Dutch scientist.
Sixteen men and 14 women, all healthy and without weight problems, were wired up for two weeks with a portable sensor that measured when they were in motion and how much energy they expended.
Those who exercised gently but regularly, such as walking or cycling every day, burned up most calories.
Those who did short, high-intensity exercise compensated for their workouts by being more inactive the rest of the time, and so used up less energy overall.
The researcher, Klaas Westerterp of Maastricht University's Department of Human Biology, says moderate activity has the bonus of being less likely to strain the body, especially for the middle-aged or obese.
His study is published in Thursday's issue of Nature, the British science weekly.
(SD-Agencies)
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