MadSci Network: Biophysics
Query:

Re: Is more energy spent doing some exercise in less time?

Date: Fri Oct 26 06:29:41 2012
Posted By: Mark Torchia, Professor of Surgery
Area of science: Biophysics
ID: 1350850011.Bp
Message:

Hello Walter,

Thanks for the question. The answer is unfortunately, no.

The total energy that is used in any form of exercise is related to 2 big variables:

  1. the amount of energy burned per unit time (let's say C = calories per minute)
  2. the time that is spent burning that energy (let's say T = minutes)
So the mathematical equation is C x T = Total Energy burned.

Let's use an example; I like to cycle so let's use that.

If I cycle at my usual rate of 20-22 km per hour, I burn about 10 calories every minute. The ride to my office is 40 minutes long so I burn about 10 cal/min (C) x 40 minutes (T) = 400 calories Total Energy.

To increase the number of Total Calories burned ( C x T) I must increase either C (cycle more vigorously) or T (spend more time cycling).

There is no short cut to burning calories ... math doesn't lie.

Hope this was helpful.


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