9.1 Is it better to break my exercise sessions up, or exercise for a longer period?
Description
This article is from the Aerobics Fitness FAQ, by oaktree@shell.urjet.net (Robles) with numerous contributions by others.
9.1 Is it better to break my exercise sessions up, or exercise for a longer period?
In general, for the average aerobicizer, it doesn't matter
whether you exercise for 2 shorter sessions or 1 longer
session. Keep in mind that your body requires a "warm-up"
period of 5 to 10 minutes and a "cool-down" period of similar
length (cf. section 12). So if you exercise for one 60
minutes period, 40 to 50 minutes of that time would be for
aerobic training with the remainder for warm-up and
cool-down. If you exercise for two 30 minute periods, 10 to
20 minutes of each period or 20 to 40 minutes total, would be
aerobic training.
So if you break up your workout but using the same amount of
time, you might be training aerobically for a shorter amount
of time. Does this really matter? It depends on why you
are aerobically training. If you are interested in training
for an activity like soccar/football or water polo, where
you are actively working aerobically for extended periods of
time, then, yes, it will make a difference. The duration of
the training periods very directly affect the aerobic
capacity of an athlete. For example, if you don't have the
aerobic capacity for swim constantly for the duration of a
water polor game, you aren't going to be able to complete an
entire game.
However, if you are exercising for general fitness and health,
then other issues are important. If it works for you to
exercise in 2 shorter periods, and that is what you are able
to do ,then that is what is best for you. For most of us,
it is more practical to exercise in 1 period, be it long or
short. A very short period of exercise, like a 10 minute
session will have limited aerobic benefits for all but the
most deconditioned because of the warm-up/cool-down
necessities. That doesn't mean that it doesn't have
benefit; it's not aerobic training.
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