30 Minutes of Exercise Per Day Results In Weight Loss: Just As Good As A Whole Hour

A new study may have discovered the key exercise amounts per day for sustained weight loss. A study from the University of Copenhagen, published in the American Journal of Physiology, looked at 60 overweight men who desired to lose weight. They divided the group into two sections and dictated their exercise amounts per day. One group was labeled high-exercise and had to work out 60 minutes a day. The second group was labeled moderate-exercise and had to work out 30 minutes a day.

The researchers defined “working out” as being active enough to produce a sweat. The participants were told to eat normally during the duration of the study. The study took place over a 13-week period and the results were surprising. The moderate-exercise group lost 2 pounds more than the high-exercise group. This result was not explainable.

Scientifically calculating calories eaten and burnt through exercise, the moderate-exercise group actually used more energy than predicted. The conclusion was that exercising for 30 minutes might heighten your metabolism and keep your body burning more energy long after you’ve stopped exercising. One of the researchers, Mads Rosekilde, says that, “Part of the explanation may be that people found 30 minutes of exercise so doable that they had the desire and energy for additional physical activity.”

Source: Web MD