Exercise intensity affects fat loss

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Friday, June 11, 2004 11:12 am Email this article
HIGH-INTENSITY EXERCISE reduces body fat in women better than low-intensity exercise according a recent study.

Fifteen women ages 18- to 34-years-old were randomly assigned to low intensity exercise 40 to 45 minutes four times per week.

Low intensity exercise did not cause heart rate to exceed 132 beats per minute, whereas high intensity exercise caused an average heart rate of 163 beats per minute.

Percent body fat decreased in the high-intensity group (from 27 percent down to 22 percent) but did not change in the low-intensity group (22 percent vs 21 percent).

The only dietary changes seen were a decreased intake of saturated fat (21 grams daily reduced to 15 grams) and cholesterol (249 grams daily reduced to 159 grams) occurring in the high-intensity group.

Body weight did not change in either group.

REFERENCE

Bryner RW, Toffle RC, Ullrich IH, Yeater RA. The effects of exercise intensity on body composition, weight loss, and dietary composition in women. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1997 Feb, 16(1):68-73.

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