Short but intensive bursts of exercise lasting ten minutes are as effective as good as hours of training in fighting flab, a new study has concluded.

It has been found by the Boffins studying interval training that it not only takes less time than what is typically recommended, but the regimen does not have to be "all out" to be effective in helping reduce the risk of such diseases at Type 2 diabetes.

Martin Gibala, professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, says," What we've been able to show is that interval training does not have to be ''all out'' in order to be effective and time-efficient. While still a very demanding form of training, the exercise might be more achievable by the general public and it certainly doesn't require the use of specialized laboratory equipment."

The new study involves eight to 12 one-minute bouts of exercise on a standard stationary bicycle at a relatively lower intensity with rest intervals of 75 seconds, for a total of 20-25 minutes per session. The workload was still above most people's comfort zone i. e. about 95percent of maximal heart rate, but only about half of what can be achieved when people sprint at an all-out pace.

Gibala further says," That is the trade-off for the relatively lower intensity. There is no free lunch; duration must increase as intensity decreases." (With Inputs from Agencies)