Lola Moura

There are a few conflicting theories on how to optimize exercise. Here’s a scientific response to popularly asked questions.

Should I take breakfast before going for a workout

You may think it’s right to fuel up before going for a long cycle, but the recent research recommends that you may be better off not fuelling up. Professor Dylan Thompson of the University of Bath requested a group of overweight men to do two exercise sessions; first, they did two hours after taking a 600-calorie breakfast and then, on another experiment, they went to work out with an empty stomach. The results of this experiment observed the differences in gene expression levels that signal how bodies’ fat tissue respond differently whether they have taken food or not.

Therefore, if you would like to reduce the risk of getting cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes or even lose weight, you may want to avoid taking breakfast before going to the gym. On the other hand, if you are trying to beat your personal best, go for a high energy meal three hour before you go to work out. However, people who have type 1 diabetes are advised to eat before exercising to avoid any risk of getting hypoglycemia.

Which is best? Work out alone or with friends?

In 2010, Dr. Emma Cohen of the University of Oxford demonstrated the pain threshold of Oxford members was high when they did higher following group exercise than solo workouts. This implied that they were experiencing a high release of natural endorphins, mild opiates released within the body to numb the pain and release pleasurable feelings.

In 2015, Dr. Cohen discovered that rugby players who went through synchronized warm-ups did better than those who warmed up on their own. Based on these, we can say that group exercise has several benefits.

Should I stretch as part of my warm up?

A lot of people stretch before they start to run out on a football pitch or tennis court, but according to sports scientist, there is no evidence that this helps reduce the risk of injury. However, stretching helps reduce muscle fitness; this helps slow down the speed at which they can transfer force and decrease the power of their contractions.

Working out to maintain your fitness is essential if you want to achieve the best level of fitness, it's vital that you look for the advice of a professional fitness specialist who shall ensure you do the right exercise.