Short bursts of intense exercise every few days could dramatically cut the risk of diabetes and heart disease, researchers said.
Rather than slaving away for hours in the gym, people should focus their attention on quick "sprints" on an exercise bike, with each workout lasting just a few minutes.
James Timmons, professor of exercise biology at Heriot-WattUniversity in Edinburgh, published a study on the effects of quick exercise.
He said people could reduce their risk of diabetes and heart disease substantially with short, intense workouts.
In his study, published in the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders, 16 men exercised for three sessions a week for two weeks. It resulted in a 23 per cent improvement in insulin function.