Effect of Single vs Accumulated Bouts of Exercise on Body Composition, Fitness, and Resting Metabolic Rate

Obesity and physical inactivity are two factors that have been shown to be correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. As people have increasingly busier schedules, they have less time to commit to exercise. Accumulating exercise in small bouts is a schedule-friendly alternative to longer continuous bouts of exercise and may protect against CVD and diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of accumulated exercise compared to continuous exercise on body composition, fitness, and resting metabolic rate. Nine healthy male (n=4) and female (n = 5) volunteers were randomized into either an accumulated intervention group consisting of two bouts of exercise per day, a continuous intervention group consisting of one bout exercise per day, or a control group consisting of no exercise. Both exercise groups performed 30 minutes of Tabata exercise three times per week for 4 weeks. Participants were assessed for body composition, cardiovascular fitness, and resting metabolic rate at the beginning of the study and again at 4 weeks. Significant differences were only found when comparing within groups pre- and post-intervention for body fat percent in the 2-bout group (p = 0.03; ES = - 0.63). Continuous and accumulated Tabata exercise had no effect on cardiovascular fitness or resting metabolic rate.