Short bursts of high-intensity exercise could be enough to significantly boost the health and wellbeing of elderly people, according to a new study.
Researchers at Abertay University invited a group of old age pensioners into a lab twice a week for six weeks and asked them to pedal an exercise bike at maximum speed for six seconds.
A minute later and after their heart rates had dropped back below 120 beats per minute, they were instructed to repeat the task.
Their stamina was built upon until they could complete ten six-second sprints rather than the six they started out on.
Finally, the researchers tested their resting heart rate, blood pressure and ability to carry out everyday tasks.
It was found that blood pressure decreased by an average of nine per cent, the participants found it much easier to get oxygen to their muscles and they also struggled less with things like getting up out of a chair quickly or walking the dog.
Writing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, lead author Dr John Babraj explained that the subjects were able to pedal quite quickly given their age, which could help them to squeeze in enough exercise each day to remain fit and stave off health problems.
'If people aren't meeting the targets, we need to find ways to work with them when it comes to exercise, rather than just persisting with something that isn't working. High-intensity training is an achievable alternative that could make a real difference to people's health and their quality of life,' he added.
Many people across the UK seem to be struggling to fit in the 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week that is recommended by the government, with exercise expert Dr Mike Loosemore from University College Hospital, London telling BBC News he thinks this goal is putting them off because it seems impractical or unobtainable.
However, the benefits of regular physical activity are tangible, with a recent study at the same institution showing that pensioners who exercised at least once a week were three to four times more likely to stay healthy and avoid Alzheimer's disease, depression, heart disease and diabetes than those who remained inactive.