The new 20 second exercise regime

[mercalia]

I saw on TV at a friends house, a few days ago a programme on latest research into exercise. One thing they made a fuss of was this 20 seconds of killer exercise (from cold I assume). They showed this middle aged man "coughing his guts out" doing that. What I wonder is how many older people here could do that from cold? I know I cannt - when I stupidly cycle from the front door very fast it leaves me panting for some time, I have to warm up quite a bit before I can exert my self. So sound advise from the BBC or an undertakers remit?

[mjr]

Was it this repeat of Horizon: The Truth About Exercise? http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01cywtq

I saw it on the listings, meant to set it to record and forgot.

[kylecycler]

Wasn't that how poor Andrew Marr gave himself a stroke? I'm fairly sure it was something like that - daft, if you ask me! He only just survived.

I often wonder about warming up when cycling. I think we just do it naturally. Don't know about you or anybody else, though, but quite often I'm about twenty minutes into a ride and it's just not happening - not feeling like it today, just want to go home. But I never do, and then two hours later I've got more energy than I had at the start! Can't believe that only happens to me, but I've never heard an explanation, or even discussed it with anyone. Maybe it just takes longer to warm up than I think it should.

Never really understood warming down either, but when we know we're getting near home maybe we just do that naturally too.

(I shouldn't reply to your threads, mercalia, you just get me into trouble - you're an agitator, that's what you are, an agitator. All these Brexit threads... And how was I supposed to know where East Anglia was? I've never been there! )

[Mick F]

Not seen the programme and know not much about it.
However, I could do 20 seconds of intense exercise straight off from cold without issue even at my great age of mid-60s.

I regularly leave home on the bike and almost immediately climb the infamous Gunnislake Hill.

[al_yrpal]

Sounds like another dodgy theory from Michael Mosley. I did try it at the time but it doesnt compare with the thrill and pleasure of going out on your bike.

Al

[barrym]

Well I agree that a bike ride is much the more enjoyable, but there is a school of thought that humans are designed for bursts of exercise rather than prolonged endurance. If hunting with a spear you'd be creeping along quietly until you see your prey then a burst of energy chasing it probably losing it then repeating the process. Then when finally catching something you feast for a day or so then go hungry while you repeat it all again. Hence the 5:2 diet. All attempts to replicate how the majority of human existence was. Me, I eat (too much) every day and do moderate exercise as it coincides with life.

[rmurphy195]

Well I agree that a bike ride is much the more enjoyable, but there is a school of thought that humans are designed for bursts of exercise rather than prolonged endurance. If hunting with a spear you'd be creeping along quietly until you see your prey then a burst of energy chasing it probably losing it then repeating the process. Then when finally catching something you feast for a day or so then go hungry while you repeat it all again. Hence the 5:2 diet. All attempts to replicate how the majority of human existence was. Me, I eat (too much) every day and do moderate exercise as it coincides with life.

Creeping along quietly = warming up?

[barrym]

If you like:-)

[robc02]

I often wonder about warming up when cycling. I think we just do it naturally. Don't know about you or anybody else, though, but quite often I'm about twenty minutes into a ride and it's just not happening - not feeling like it today, just want to go home. But I never do, and then two hours later I've got more energy than I had at the start! Can't believe that only happens to me,.......

No, it doesn't only happen to you! Sometimes I feel as if getting beyond the bottom of my drive will be a challenge...... but after a few minutes, I start to liven up. The exception is if I have already done a few days of hard cycling and the heavy leg feeling won't go away because I need a gentle recovery ride.

I can do an intense start if I really have to, but it's very uncomfortable and something I'd rather avoid. Plus, I was always taught that making an intense effort from cold significantly increases the risk of injury.

[freeflow]

One could argue that 20 seconds of intense activity is our evolutionary inheritance. And it works as long as it more intense than the attack activity of the Tiger ( or other predator).

[mercalia]

One could argue that 20 seconds of intense activity is our evolutionary inheritance. And it works as long as it more intense than the attack activity of the Tiger ( or other predator).

I suppose better to risk a heart attack than end up as a happy meal for a sabare tooth

[Mick F]

20 seconds is hardly anything at all to a normal fit adult.

Sitting here relaxed on the easy chair, I could stand up and run on the spot for 20 seconds easily and hardly break into a sweat.

[mercalia]

20 seconds is hardly anything at all to a normal fit adult.

Sitting here relaxed on the easy chair, I could stand up and run on the spot for 20 seconds easily and hardly break into a sweat.

-
ah thats not the type of exercise being envisaged - the tv programme, it was very painful seeing this middle aged man turning the cranks of the exercise bike at god knows rev/min

[barrym]

I tried it for a week or so doing 3x30 secs. It's flat out for 30, rest for 30 and repeat. It's excruciating. You won't believe it unless you try. Dunno about the benefits. What caught my eye was the effect on blood glucose.

[mercalia]

I tried it for a week or so doing 3x30 secs. It's flat out for 30, rest for 30 and repeat. It's excruciating. You won't believe it unless you try. Dunno about the benefits. What caught my eye was the effect on blood glucose.

what stuck me about the young researcher - he didnt look particularly slim?