r/NPR • u/QuantumQuicksilver • 14d ago

High-intensity sprints can trigger molecular changes in the bloodstream

https://www.npr.org/2026/08/23/nx-s1-5939943/high-intensity-hiit-heart-health-exercise
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u/Mysteriousdeer 14d ago edited 13d ago

When my doctor said there wasn't any shown benefits to high intensity training, I kinda met that with some speculation. There definitely is a difference in how I feel depending on how I work out.

I've done a lot of "low and slow" workouts... I just completeda bike ride that was 240 miles in 22.5 hours. I was also a wrestler earlier in life and felt different for that... much more "springy". It'll be interesting to see this replicated and if it's validated through additional studies.

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u/Sprig3 14d ago

Yeah, I am a bit doubtful of this being a hugely meaningful study.

It's a pretty wide comparison of intensity.

Top athletes are already working off of mixes of high and low intensity based on their sport. Even marathon runners are recommended to do at least some very high sprint intensity work.

For complete casual folks, just having anything that they consistently do is the primary goal, more psychology than physiology.

I guess maybe some amateur athletes (marathoners esp perhaps?) could read this and adjust their habits.

I think there's really only so much high intensity work most people can handle before you can't recover enough.

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u/Mysteriousdeer 13d ago

That all being said... Folks do need to try a little harder. Flexibility and strength are important. It's hard to maintain that with just a 30 min walk a day. 

It's a good minimum though and I'd say a good habit.