Effects of Intermittent Bursts of Vigorous Activity:

• Metabolic Rate: Short but intense bursts of activity can result in an afterburn effect (known as post exercise oxygen consumption or EPOC). This keeps your metabolic rate elevated for hours after your workout.
• Improved Insulin Sensitivity: These bursts of activity can help enhance how your body manages blood sugar levels. This aspect can be particularly advantageous for individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
• Time Efficiency: HIIT workouts are typically shorter in duration making them a convenient option for individuals with schedules.
• Increased Fat Burning: Some evidence suggests that HIIT may promote oxidation potentially leading to reductions in body fat.
• Cardiovascular Benefits: Intermittent intense activity can improve health to an extent, as continuous aerobic exercise despite the shorter time commitment required.
• Adherence: Some people find that incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into their exercise routine can make it more interesting and help them stick to it. However others may feel overwhelmed. Find it difficult to sustain the intensity of this type of workout.

Benefits of Workout Sessions:

• Improved Endurance: Engaging in workout sessions those, with a moderate intensity can effectively enhance both cardiovascular and muscular endurance.
• Stress Reduction: Continuous physical activity can also have effects on well being by triggering the release of endorphins and creating a meditative like state during rhythmic and steady exercises.
• Enhanced Aerobic Capacity: Longer steady state workouts are commonly used to train the energy system and boost aerobic capacity.
• Better Fatigue Management: Although these workouts can be challenging they typically don't lead to fatigue or post workout soreness at the level as high intensity interval training.
• Less Intimidating for Beginners: Low to moderate intensity workouts are often less intimidating for individuals who're new to exercise and can be easily incorporated into their routine.

Both HIIT and longer workout sessions have their place in a rounded fitness regimen. The choice, between them depends on goals, time availability, personal preferences, current fitness level and any existing health conditions. For example if someone is preparing for a marathon they would benefit more from training sessions that replicate the conditions of a race. On the hand if someones goal is to improve health and reduce body fat they might choose to engage in high intensity interval training (HIIT).

It's important to note that combining these two approaches throughout the week can offer advantages and help prevent overtraining or burnout that may result from focusing on one type of exercise.

Additional considerations:

• Always remember to warm up before engaging in any activity. This helps prepare your body and reduces the risk of injury.
• It is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any exercise routine especially if you have existing health conditions.

Resources:

For information, on HIIT you can visit the American Council on Exercises website; ACE Fitness. HIIT

Mayo Clinic offers an extensive resource where you can learn about the benefits of longer continuous workouts.If you're looking for a resource, on how different workouts affect the body I highly recommend checking out the book "Exercise Physiology; Nutrition, Energy and Human Performance" by McArdle, Katch and Katch. It's a textbook that provides researched information based on scientific evidence.