Low Intensity Exercise May Relieve Feelings of Fatigue

March 2, 2008

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At the moment I am feeling relatively energized. I have a number of new projects, and spring, my favorite season, actually looks like it might be coming. In the late fall, my least favorite season, it was not the same story. I felt like I had no energy. In the evenings I would get home from work and become a vegetable. I am sure that I will hit another lull next fall. When you descend into that tiredness pit, it seems like too much effort to get out.

Today I read about a study (Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 77:167-174, 2008) that has just been published looking at the effects of exercise on general fatigue. At first the results sound counter intuitive. Feeling tired, the last thing you want to do is some exercise and get even more tired. However, the study demonstrated that both low and moderate intensity exercise reduced the feeling of fatigue and the subjects felt more energetic. Low intensity exercise was as effective as moderate intensity exercise. Interestingly, this increased feeling of energy was not due to an increase in aerobic capacity.

So what did this study class as low intensity exercise? It was an easy walk, a leisurely bike ride or some yoga. Here in the evenings, it is still getting dark way too early, and it gets cold pretty quickly, so for the time being perhaps yoga is a better option. I have a couple of DVDs from Gaiam that I think would work well. I like AM/PM Yoga For Beginners and Stress Relief Yoga For Beginners. (Checking out the Gaiam website to get the links; I see that they have Free Shipping – no minimum order. Use coupon EASTER. Expires 3/31/08).

So next time when in that fatigue pit all that is needed is to actually muster enough energy to get off the couch and get the DVD into the player.

photo credit: SuperFantastic