Group Exercise More Beneficial

Wellness

oi-Staff

Monday, January 11, 2010, 12:21

Exercising in a group can be more beneficial than working out alone, says experts. This has been proved to be true by an experiment done on Oxfords rowing team.

The participants were divided into teams of six and asked to workout with identical rowing machine being controlled by the crew's coxswain. After each workout the blood pressure cuffs were tightened around the rowers until they showed pain. This was done to check the androphin levels of their brain. Androphin is a brain chemical which along with giving a mild high also blocks pain.

It was found that the androphine threshold was twice as high after a group exercising than what it was while exercising alone. Thus it was concluded that group bonding releases more androphine.

"We also suspect that shared goals, ultimate goals, like winning the big race, and proximate goals, like endeavouring to row together in synch, are at least part of the trigger," says author, Emma Cohen

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.