A study by Oregon State University has found that moderate aerobic exercise could burn fat for about 48 hours. This study was conducted on people who did not have a regular workout routine. Moreover, researchers concluded that having a routine could give people long-term changes to their metabolism. As a result, they would burn fat even when they didn’t work out.

How researchers carried out the experiment

The team used mitochondria to conduct the study. Mitochondria are cell organelles that produce every from fats and sugars. The team asked volunteers who were not very fit to ride stationary bikes for an hour while they conversed. Fifteen minutes after the workout, researchers would biopsy their muscles. They then compared their mitochondria a day after the workout.

The researchers concluded that while the changes were not very big, they were consistent. They found that the mitochondria burned between 14% and 17% more sugar fuel after the workout. Moreover, they burned between 12% and 13% more fat fuel.

While many studies have looked into the impact of excuse on health, there has been no other that investigated its effect on people living a sedentary life. This study concluded that these people also benefited from occasional exercise.

According to the assistant professor at the College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, and the lead author of the study, Dr. Matt Robison, the team concluded that the mitochondria burned more fuel after exercise despite the type of fuel. This study proved that people could benefit from occasionally exercising.

However, Robison points out that the benefits disappear in 48 hours. He sees the study as a way to encourage people to work out more. This would allow them to make exercise more regular and reap more benefits from it.

Exercise could help people with diabetes or obesity

Robinson points out that diabetes and obesity are often susceptible to metabolic issues. In a healthy individual, the body burns off sugar first before fat. However, in people with obesity and diabetes, the body has a more challenging time switching between fuel sources. Fortunately, exercise can remedy the problem.

The university is also looking into how high-intensity interval training could affect metabolic pathways.