From recent research in the publication, Science Translational Medicine: A team led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital reported on substances, called metabolites, found in blood samples taken before and after exercise.

The scientists used new high-tech tools to identify changes in more than 20 metabolites that were associated with exercise. “Ten minutes of exercise has at least an hour of effects on your body,” stated Dr. Robert Gerszten of Massachusetts General Hospital, who found that some of the metabolic changes that began after 10 minutes on the treadmill still were measurable 60 minutes later.

There were also differences between fit and less-fit people. For example, the fittest received more benefits. And there were some differences in the changes produced by a short exercise session and the marathon. For instance, 25 Boston Marathon runners had ten-fold increases in some metabolites after the race.

So at least get out and walk a few minutes every day and you are sure to see positive benefits!

This field of study is evidently called “Metabolomics”. According to Wikipedia, it is the “systematic study of the unique chemical fingerprints that specific cellular processes leave behind” – specifically, the study of their small-molecule metabolite profiles.

More info: Science Translational Medicine

Tagged as: 10 minutes of exercise, exercise metabolites, marathon runners, metabolomics, Science Translational Medicine, Short Term Exercise Has Long Term Benefits