metabolism, making sprints a very potent aerobic stimulus,” says Dr Martin Gibala, a professor of kinesiology (the scientific study of human movement) at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Gibala and his colleagues found that people who did short (25

. Looking at data from 40 studies involving 250,000 people with heart disease, they found that overweight people had fewer heart problems than those with a normal BMI.The good news is that not all government departments are hung up on the BMI. Sports

at least 50g of carbohydrate every two hours until your next main meal.While the emphasis is mostly on carbohydrates studies have also shown that including some protein (10-18g is ideal) in your post-event or workout snack or meal helps to replenish

of honey mixed in water tops up muscle glycogen as well as an energy gel after a long workout, according to a study on cyclists. It also contains a type of sugar that keeps your intestinal tract healthy. Sunflower seeds are rich sources of vitamin E

to strengthen bones. A Yale University study also found that just the smell of spiced apples can have  health benefits, helping to lower blood pressure because of its calming effects.Currants: They are a great source of sustained energy: the high potassium

with each serving of green beans. The mineral has been  found to help reduce fracture rates, say researchers in the Journal of Nutrition. Olives are rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphorus - all proven to help shore up your skeleton. In one Greek study

    An American BMI study (1999; more than one million Americans) revealed the following range of "healthiest" BMIs: for men, 23.5 to 25.0; for women, 22.0 to 23.5.The Department of Health believes that you

count for more than just a day off by doing something you enjoy that you don't have time for while training. A film or a dinner out serves as more than a reward, because relaxation helps you heal. A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that a

is that in those last few weeks it’s the rest more than the work that makes you strong. And you don’t lose fitness in three weeks of tapering."In fact, studies show that your aerobic capacity, the best gauge of fitness, doesn’t change at all. Research reveals a lot

the impact of the pill on athletic performance. Though most studies have shown the pill has no effect on performance, some research indicates it may cause a slight reduction in aerobic capacity. On the other hand, some runners feel the pill helps performance