A new study has found that High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) can lead to endorphin release in the brain. Researchers at the University of Turku believe the body uses it to cancel out the “physical and emotional stress” that’s caused by the workout. Ie, feeling like garbage after way too many burpees.
Interestingly, HIIT induced negative feelings in the study participants (seriously, one more box jump?!?), but this was associated with higher endorphin release to perhaps cancel it out.
RELATED: The Best Cardio Workout To Blast Body Fat
A less intense hour-long aerobic class did not boost endorphins significantly, but it did increase “pleasurable feelings and euphoria.”
Clearly, the endorphin release mechanism is a bit of a mixed bag. The researchers believe at moderate training levels, the happy feelings may help you go back for more exercise. But at high intensities, the endorphins are there to manage all your neggy feelings about a killer workout. If the negative feelings prevail, they could discourage us from going back for more. However regardless, it does cause the good hormones to flow.
RELATED: New Study Reveals The Ultimate Anti-Aging Workout
This study is important as the researchers believe exercise-induced endorphin release might determine whether we maintain motivation and keep coming back for one more circuit.
Take home: HIIT has many body and brain benefits – but you should ultimately choose the exercise you’ll be able to commit to in the long term.
Source: Read Full Article