The first 20 minutes

[Yellow Fang]

I am reading an interesting book called The First 20 Minutes by Gretchen Reynolds. It's a review of recent sports science studies translated for the layman. The good news is that exercise is good for you. Even better, you don't have to do that much for your health to benefit. It seems like a lot of myths have grown up around exercise. Anyway it's a good book. I feel tempted to dig out my barbells, and maybe do a few squats. I don't think the tenants downstairs would appreciate me doing tuck jumps this time of night.

 

[Moodyman]

I've always believed that you ain't exercising if you ain't gasping for oxygen or you ain't sore the next day.

But more and more studies are saying moderation is key and after the first 30 or so minutes you're no better off. In fact more strenuous exercise is putting extra strain on your body -especially the heart

 

[Yellow Fang]

I've always believed that you ain't exercising if you ain't gasping for oxygen or you ain't sore the next day.

But more and more studies are saying moderation is key and after the first 30 or so minutes you're no better off. In fact more strenuous exercise is putting extra strain on your body -especially the heart

The book says even moderate exercise is good for you, in many, many ways. However, vigorous exercise is good for losing weight. Moderate exercise can help you to keep the weight off in the first place. Aerobic exercise is good for you, anaerobic exercise is good for you, even weight training is good for you. It is surprising how much sports exercise science has come out recently. I am not sure I buy all of it.

One thing that disappointed me was that it did not tell me how I could fix my knee. It said the best thing was to ensure you don't get a knee problem in the first place - thanks a lot. OTOH, it said long term marathon runners had no worse knees than the rest of the population, and that even if you do have knee problems you are just as well keeping up what exercise you can. However, don't do cortisone or take anti-inflammatories as a matter of course.

There are many accounts of lab experiments on mice and rats. So much so, I was reminded of the bit in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in which Slartifartbast describes to Arthur Dent the sublimely subtle experiments the mice have been running on people to guide their development.

 

[Easytigers]

The book says even moderate exercise is good for you, in many, many ways. However, vigorous exercise is good for losing weight. Moderate exercise can help you to keep the weight off in the first place. Aerobic exercise is good for you, anaerobic exercise is good for you, even weight training is good for you. It is surprising how much sports exercise science has come out recently. I am not sure I buy all of it.

One thing that disappointed me was that it did not tell me how I could fix my knee. It said the best thing was to ensure you don't get a knee problem in the first place - thanks a lot. OTOH, it said long term marathon runners had no worse knees than the rest of the population, and that even if you do have knee problems you are just as well keeping up what exercise you can. However, don't do cortisone or take anti-inflammatories as a matter of course.

There are many accounts of lab experiments on mice and rats. So much so, I was reminded of the bit in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in which Slartifartbast describes to Arthur Dent the sublimely subtle experiments the mice have been running on people to guide their development.

How many rides per week for optimum health gains?
42
The answer to everything!!!

 

[400bhp]

But more and more studies are saying moderation is key and after the first 30 or so minutes you're no better off. In fact more strenuous exercise is putting extra strain on your body -especially the heart

No better off in what respect?

Life expectancy?

Expected future life in good health?

Lactate threshold?

Ability to run a marathon in less than x hours?

 

[Rob3rt]

That must be why I never win...

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Ignore all the latest research and advice: just get out and pedal as fast or as slowly as you want. Either will be way more beneficial than sitting on yer backside watching Liverpool thrash Man U.

 

[uclown2002]

Ignore all the latest research and advice: just get out and pedal as fast or as slowly as you want. Either will be way more beneficial than sitting on yer backside watching Liverpool thrash Man U.

oh ffs I'm watching the match on delay, having just got in from my ride

 

[dan_bo]

Ignore all the latest research and advice: just get out and pedal as fast or as slowly as you want. Either will be way more beneficial than sitting on yer backside watching Liverpool thrash Man U.

Brillo pad massage would be better than watching manU at the mo.

 

[Moodyman]

No better off in what respect?

Life expectancy?

Expected future life in good health?

Lactate threshold?

Ability to run a marathon in less than x hours?

It's aimed at ordinary folk who exercise for general good health. They conclude that there is little benefit from thrashing yourself for hours if you only want to be fit.

Though if you're competing that's a different matter.

Personally I enjoy the totally wrecked feeling the next day after a good hill run or gym workout.

 

[Bobby Mhor]

Brillo pad massage .

Pah! softie

 

[nickyboy]

Brillo pad massage would be better than watching manU at the mo.

Oh I don't know. I could watch them for hours playing like a pub team, great entertainment

 

[400bhp]

It's aimed at ordinary folk who exercise for general good health. They conclude that there is little benefit from thrashing yourself for hours if you only want to be fit.

Though if you're competing that's a different matter.

Personally I enjoy the totally wrecked feeling the next day after a good hill run or gym workout.

Sorry to labour the point and this is just a general point.

Stats like this mean nothing. They are stating a pretty specific point on one side of the equation (or null hypothesis if you're a statto) that states the time (30 minutes being very specific) but on the other side of the equation they are using something nebulous ("healthy") which is pretty meaningless in isolation.

Healthy meaning what exactly? For example, most people at work will be deemed "healthy" simply because they can make it to work and do a job. But, that doesn't make someone "fit" and "healthy". Nor have I defined fit and healthy.

I therefore tend to dismiss such studies as the person doing it doesn't understand statistics or it has been reported poorly.

 

[Yellow Fang]

The latest chapter says that exercise keeps you younger on a molecular level. Apparently the telomeres on your DNA strands do not shorten so quickly, and your mitchondrial DNA repairs itself better if you exercise. The previous chapter says exercise is important for re-growing brain cells, important as you hit middle age.