Intermittent exercise is more effective than continuous exercise in lowering artery-blocking fat in the bloodstream, according to a study reported in the August issue of the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

University of Missouri researchers also found that exercising before eating was crucial for clearing fat from the body and that fat clearing peaks 12 hours after exercise. The latter suggests that evening exercise is better for those who eat large breakfasts, while morning exercise is better for those who eat large dinners.

The researchers examined the effects of 30 minutes of continuous or intermittent exercise triglyceride levels s in the bloodstream after subjects ate high-fat meals. They found that people had lower triglyceride levels after a high fat meal after short, separated bouts of exercise rather than one continuous bout.

“Most Americans who exercise are exercising around 30 minutes a day,” said lead researcher Tom Thomas, professor of nutritional sciences at the university. “Based on the results of the research, the intermittent approach would probably be best for most Americans at lowering fat in the bloodstream.”

Peak triglyceride levels in the subjects who engaged in intermittent exercise before eating a high-fat meal were reduced by 27 percent. Those who engaged in continuous exercise reduced their triglyceride levels by 15 percent.

Thomas said exercising before eating was crucial for fat clearing, noting that muscle contraction during exercise stimulates a fat-clearing enzyme in the muscle.

However, Thomas said, the effect of exercise on fat clearing does not last more than 24 hours, which suggests the need for daily physical activity to continuously stimulate the fat clearing system.

Other sources: University of Missouri