Cancerwise

Squeezing a full workout into your busy day can be tough. Warming up, exercising and cooling down all take time. So do the commute to the gym and the minutes spent waiting for your turn to use the equipment — not to mention the shower you’ll need afterward.

But what if you didn’t need any special clothing or equipment — or even that much time — to get some benefit from moving your body around? 

That’s where “exercise snacks” come in. These aren’t foods you eat, though. Instead, they’re tiny “bites” of physical activity each day that collectively can make a big difference in your overall health and fitness.

Researchers Karen Basen-Engquist, Ph.D., and Scherezade Mama, Dr.P.H., explored this topic on a recent episode of our Cancerwise podcast. Here are a few highlights from that discussion. 

What is an ‘exercise snack,’ anyway?

The concept of exercise snacks is simple: just take a few minutes out of each day to do some small physical activity, and you can improve your health.  

“The research in this space is relatively new,” explains Scherezade. “But it’s also quite compelling. One study found evidence that exercise snacks could improve physical function, muscle strength and balance. In older adults, there was even some improvement in cognitive function.” 

The term “snacks” is used to make the concept more approachable.  

“The point is that you don't necessarily have to set aside a long period of time, have fancy equipment, wear a particular outfit or go anywhere special to accomplish this,” adds Scherezade. “It’s something small you can incorporate easily into your daily life.”