JUST one minute of exercise a week can benefit the health of older people, research found.
Participants aged 65-75 with sedentary lifestyles took part in sprint interval training sessions once or twice a week.
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They were asked to cycle hard for six seconds on stationary bikes before resting for a minute, then repeating the exercise until they had achieved a total minute.
Dr John Babraj, who led the study at Abertay University, Dundee, said even one weekly session improved blood glucose control.
The ability to get up to answer a door and walk up and down stairs was also boosted.
He now wants the method to be included in Government guidelines.
He said: “While those participating in the twice-weekly sessions observed a greater improvement, those taking part in the single session also observed change.
“Importantly, they also observed a difference in general function, greatly improving their ability to do everyday tasks such as getting up to answer a door and walk up and down stairs.
“These are major issues for older people. As we lose physical function, we start to become socially isolated, and as we become socially isolated our quality of life declines significantly.”
“Currently, older adults are advised to participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week and that can be difficult,” he said.
