Check out this article from army.mil/news
Military Downplaying Long Runs, Adopting More Diverse Fitness Programs
http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/02/26/1986-military-playing-down-long-runs-adopting-more-diverse-fitness-programs/
Ok, so I'll give you the Cliff's Notes version here:
"If a little bit of running is good for keeping warfighters in top form,
then a lot of running is better, right? "Wrong!" say officials here at
the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine."
"We're not going soft," Bullock said. "What we're doing is increasing
the intensity of the training, and the effect on heart, lungs and
overall strength is actually better."
"Higher-intensity, shorter-distance runs and interval training increase
troops' speed and stamina with less risk of injuries, he said. At the
same time, this more balanced approach to PT actually improves their
ability to perform in combat."
Shorter, faster runs get a thumbs up from girls in camo bikinis.
So we know that long slow runs suck for fat loss, and that the best way to lose fat is short, intense cardio sessions. Now we know that long slow runs also suck for fitness. Now while you might not be training for military readiness - you are going to be more fit for any task you need to perform by doing short fast intense cardio.
By Josh Hillis
Author of How To Lose The Stubborn Seven Pounds: Take Your Body from Good to Rockstar.
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) and Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES),
and currently studing the Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM-CES)˚ credential.
Russian Kettlebell Challenge Certified Instructor (RKC)* and Combat Applications Specialist (RKC2/CAS)
*RKC certified 2004-2006, registered to recertify 2007
˚NASM-CES will be completed 2007
© Joshua Hillis 2007
