Sitting around doing nothing used to seem like one of the safest activities possible. Then a few years ago scientists discovered that sitting all clay causes harmful changes that increase your chances of meeting an early end. Even regular workouts didn't fix the ill effects of having your bottom in a chair all workday. Suddenly, sitting became public health enemy number one. However, a new research finds that tiny bursts of intense activity are enough to protect your body from the worst effects of your couch-bound lifestyle.
In the research, the scientists closely observed eight young, healthy volunteers as they sat around. On the first day of the experiment they simply lounged for six hours. On the second day they got up every hour and engaged in five rounds of four seconds of intense workouts on a specialized bike.
"Twenty seconds total exercise an hour sounds like nothing, but the data showed it made a big difference to the subjects' bodies. In short, they didn't exhibit the usual ill effects of having sat all day. This study is small, but it's still both hopeful and relevant. The results suggest that breaking up sitting with frequent exercise can undo some of the effects of being inactive," explains Gretchen Reynolds.
"While the study used a special type of bike developed by sports scientists, the researchers feel similar results are obtainable with home exercise equipment. However, you may have to work for a few more seconds to reach the same level of intensity. You should try to get your heart pumping to its maximum as quickly as possible to ensure the effect. When you find yourself sitting for most of the day, try to rise frequently and move as often during the day as possible and for as many seconds as you can manage," Reynolds concludes.
【小题1】What does the new research find?| A．Regular workouts can extend your life. |
| B．Sitting all clay can cause permanent harm. |
| C．Sitting is a worst enemy for people's health. |
| D．Intense exercise can relieve the damage of sitting. |
| A．By comparing figures. | B．By analyzing phenomena. |
| C．By describing behaviors. | D．By referring to documents. |
| A．The study still needs further experiments for data. |
| B．Reaching maximum heart rate should be the aim. |
| C．Working out at home is much less effective. |
| D．20 seconds' exercise is far from enough. |
| A．The Worst Health Problem Is Solved |
| B．Intense Activities Are Beneficial to Health |
| C．Just 4 Seconds' Exercise Makes a Big Difference |
| D．New Research Redefines a Healthy Lifestyle |
