Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Les. Tindale on 07/07/2010 09:30:02

Title: Does anaerobic exercise burn more calories?
Post by: Les. Tindale on 07/07/2010 09:30:02

Les. Tindale asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Does anaerobic exercise burn more calories for longer than aerobic exercise.

What do you think?

Title: Does anaerobic exercise burn more calories?
Post by: wolfekeeper on 08/07/2010 00:54:39

Pure anaerobic exercise can only be done at maximum rate for about 90 seconds, so in pure exercise length terms, no. Anaerobic exercise is for short-term high force activities.

On the other hand, when combined with aerobic exercise, the two complement each other, anaerobic exercise generates lactic acid, and it's been shown that the lactic acid can be burnt aerobically as additional fuel.

Aerobic exercise can be kept up (in very fit people) for very many hours, even all day, so aerobic exercise can definitely burn calories for longer.

Arctic explorers can burn thousands of calories per day, and the vast majority of those calories would be aerobic.