Why short bursts of activity or ‘exercise snacks’ could help you reduce the health risks of sitting down all day

New study advocates short bursts of intense activity to improve your health and fitness

Examples of these short bursts of activity include stair climbing and short, intense cycling bouts, the International Congress on Obesity heard yesterday. Photo: Getty

Eilish O'Regan

“Exercise snacks” are the new way to reduce the unhealthy effects of having to sit down for work all day, it emerged yesterday.

Most adults in Ireland spend at least five hours a day in sedentary position and for those whose job demands sitting, it is even longer – not counting the time spent in front of the television at night.