Edith Cowan University research revealed that muscle strength benefits are seen with consistent, short exercise sessions. Participants performing a three-second eccentric bicep contraction thrice weekly saw strength improvements. Daily 20-minute exercises might be more beneficial than a single 2-hour weekly session. Regularity, even in short durations, is key to health benefits.
Daily 20-minute exercises might be more beneficial than a single 2-hour weekly session
While this is true, it is not the reason.
Your body gets stronger during the recovery period AFTER exercise, not during the exercise (technically). During recovery your body builds back a little stronger than before the exercise so that you’re more capable of handling the same effort next time. After your body has had time to recover, you start detraining slowly.
Keeping your body in a more consistent state of recovery (within reason, you don’t want to overdo it of course) is more beneficial than allowing your body time to fully recover and then slide back a bit before your next effort. So moderate exercise more regularly can be said to be more beneficial because you have just enough time to recover with minimal backsliding.
Note: I’ve simplified and left a LOT of science out of this explanation in the interest of brevity. Please don’t come for me. I’m just a guy who likes to exercise and learn about exercise.
