Little walks lasting seconds can burn lots of calories

[Retro]

Breaking up a set distance into multiple walks burns more calories.

The popularity of walking has risen exponentially in recent years, and it’s about to get even bigger as researchers say ‘micro-walks’ lasting as little as 10 seconds could be beneficial to health.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Milan suggests that breaking up a walk into smaller bursts of 10 to 30 seconds uses more energy and burns more calories than continuously walking the same distance.

These ‘micro-walks’ are sandwiched between breaks lasting several minutes. Volunteers either walked or climbed for varying lengths of time, including short bursts of either 10 or 30 seconds, and longer durations of up to four minutes.

Working in the office rather than at home can lead to this pattern of exercise without even trying and hence can be beneficial.

10-second 'micro-walks' can burn a surprising amount of calories, study finds

More research shows that shorter bouts of activity can be just as beneficial as longer exercises.

uk.style.yahoo.com

 

[Hitcore]

Lots of short bursts of walking adds up, but it doesn't beat long distance walking. There was a time when I was overweight, and I was short on money. So I figured: might as well save some pennies by walking to work instead of taking the train, and burn some fat in the process. 6.5 km each way, about an hour and a half. 5 times 13 km = 65 km of walking every week (not including anything else!). In a matter of months I've lost almost 30 kg, in combination with skipping snacks.
But yes, I suppose that if you combine long walks with micro walks that the effect would be even greater!

 

[Mars]

Basically, the more we move, the better. This is not easy to achieve if one has a sedentary office job, hence, taking frequent, very short 'walking' breaks, is beneficial. Like, every hour or so, up and down a flight of stairs, for example.
However, I would think that this does not only apply to working in the office; wfh is just as good, if not better, because one is free to take a break whenever, walk outside for a few minutes, and back home to continue with the day's work.

 

[Tiffany]

I agree, the more active you are throughout the day is very beneficial to your health overall. I do both, I'm active and I workout daily.

Nice work @Hitcore on your weight loss during all of those long walks and skipping the snacks.