>The researchers found that the volunteers used more energy if they started and stopped multiple times compared to engaging in a steady, longer-duration activity, as they covered the same amount of ground.
>The researchers explain that the reason for this is that the body uses more energy gearing up for an activity and getting into a good pace than it does once steadiness is achieved. They liken it to a car using more gas as it works to get up to speed from an idle position.
>Further testing showed that exercising in multiple short bouts rather than a single longer one led to increases in energy consumption of 20% to 60%.
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The original study [https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1220](https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1220)
Summary [https://phys.org/news/2024-10-short-consume-energy-distance.html](https://phys.org/news/2024-10-short-consume-energy-distance.html)
>The researchers found that the volunteers used more energy if they started and stopped multiple times compared to engaging in a steady, longer-duration activity, as they covered the same amount of ground.
>The researchers explain that the reason for this is that the body uses more energy gearing up for an activity and getting into a good pace than it does once steadiness is achieved. They liken it to a car using more gas as it works to get up to speed from an idle position.
>Further testing showed that exercising in multiple short bouts rather than a single longer one led to increases in energy consumption of 20% to 60%.