Science recommends a surprising way to burn calories while walking, and these are not long distances

Walking has long been considered one of the simplest ways to remain active and lose a few pounds. But according to new research, the way you work can be more important than the distance or duration of your step. In a study by researchers from the University of Milan, a surprising conclusion appeared: short and intense walking sessions with regular breaks could be more effective in burn calories than walking continues.

Science behind walking to lose weight

We were all told that walking was a great way to stay in shape. It has a low impact, does not require any special equipment and easily integrates into daily routines. But this study, led by Francesco Luciano,, challenge the way we think we are walking for weight loss. The team found that traditional estimates of the amount of energy burned by walking often neglect an important factor: energy consumption of the body during walking. Starting and stopping phases.

Consider your body as a car. When it rolls at constant speed, a car consumes less fuel than during frequent stops and starts. Likewise, your body burns more energy when it “restarts” constantly after a break. Entering short gusts With breaks between the two, your body has several times in this high energy state, leading to a greater Calories burned.

How the study was conducted

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The researchers followed ten healthy volunteers while they were doing a series of exercises on a treadmill and a staircase. The duration of the sessions varied, ranging from 10 seconds to four minutes, and took place at three different speeds. By measuring oxygen consumption during these activities, the team was able to assess how much energy Each participant spent under different conditions.

The results? Walk or go up the stairs at short intervals 10 to 30 seconds required 20 to 60 % more oxygen than sustained exercise sessions. This higher oxygen consumption results in a significant increase in energy expenditure. Essentially, your body is working stronger to “warm up” and “restart” several times than during a permanent exercise.

What does this mean for your training?

For those who seek to burn more caloriesThis research suggests that you don’t need to spend hours on long walks. Rather focus on short and intense sessions. For example, a 30 -second fast walk followed by a brief break, repeated several times, could be more effective than a quiet one hour walk. The key is in the repeated effortswhich create opportunities for the body to consume more energy.

This approach does not only apply to walking. Whether you are mounting stairs, cycling or another form of exercise, the same principle applies: short and intense activity periods combined with regular breaks Can maximize the combustion of calories.

The practical advantages of short walking sessions

This method is not only more efficient but also more accessible to occupied people. Imagine taking a few short walks during your lunch break or between meetings instead of engaging in a long training session. It is a strategy that adapts well to modern lifestyles, where time is often limited.

Take the stairs rather than the elevator for only a few flights, or try to integrate brief walks into your daily routine, like picking up a little further from your destination. These simple adjustments can help you enjoy In energy starter phase identified by the study.

Maximize science in daily life

The research of Francesco Luciano encourages us to rethink the way we approach physical activity. If your goal is to lose weight, do not worry about traveling miles. Take aims quality rather than quantity. Adopt the idea of ​​stopping and starting again. These intense little efforts can accumulate over time, allowing you to have more for your money when it comes to burning calories.

So the next time you put your sneakers, remember: short and intense and regular beats. Whether it is a quick walk to the coffee or a few quick sprints in the park, these small training sessions could be the boost you are looking for to burn calories.