Aerobic exercise continues to be our best intervention to improve cardiovascular fitness/VO2 max, metabolic health, and disease risk. Over 20 diseases have been shown to benefit from properly prescribed aerobic exercise. Despite the health benefits only 25% of Americans reach the recommended amount of exercise each week. The number one barrier for exercise participation in adults remains lack of time. Recent research has shown short, mini or “snack” break exercise session throughout the day can have a positive impact on health.
A recent review of the medical literature was completed analyzing the impact of multiple, short duration exercise sessions on health (Rodriguez et al. British J Sports Med. 2026). Authors included 11 randomized controlled trials of over 400 participants (69% women). They defined short duration exercise breaks (walking) as <5 minutes, performed twice a day, three days a week, for at least 2 weeks. Authors stated these sessions were able to both increase cardiovascular fitness and endurance in participants. Importantly, no significant changes in disease risk profiles were noted with this duration of exercise. Previously researchers have shown exercise must continue for at least 10 minutes to impact disease risk.