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Dr. Enda Murphy, Research Associate, C\u00daRAM \u2013 the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, conducting an exercise physiology test with student Anna Burns. Photo: Andrew Downes\/Xposure<\/p>\n
\n Published:
\n Thu 21 May 2026, 7:53 AM\n <\/p>\n
EXERCISE science researchers at University of Galway have revealed how careful consideration of the timing and intensity of training will benefit muscle health.<\/p>\n
The study, led by Castlebar native Dr. Enda Murphy, examined the effects of exercise on muscle, and in particular whether shorter bursts of very intensive exercise or longer periods of less intensive exercise were more effective at improving muscle health.<\/p>\n
Dr. Murphy, an exercise scientist working at C\u00daRAM – the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway, led the international collaboration, with scientists from Dublin City University and Toulouse University in France.<\/p>\n
In order to fully assess the impact of exercise on muscle health, the researchers took muscle biopsy samples from participants before and after exercise. They also took very precise measures of metabolic health, including ‘insulin sensitivity’ \u2013 a measure of how well insulin can control the flow of glucose and other fuels around the body. This made it possible to analyse very precisely the effects of exercise on metabolism within the muscle itself.<\/p>\n
Said Dr. Murphy: \u201cThe findings were interesting and unexpected. There were much bigger improvements in muscle function after the short, intensive exercise bouts compared to the longer bout of less intensive exercise, even though the overall workload with the short intensive bout was much lower.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur analysis also showed improvements in insulin sensitivity – which relates to how effectively the body\u2019s cells respond to insulin in order to absorb glucose from the bloodstream and regulate blood sugar levels.\u201d<\/p>\n
The research involved young, healthy, active men involved in training or exercising at least twice a week. In order to assess how their bodies responded to the exercise, they were assessed 24 hours after sprint intervals (7×30 second high intensity sprints over 40 minutes), cycling over 1 hour (continuous moderate intensity), and while not exercising.<\/p>\n