Soundhaspriority wrote:

Quite true. My understanding is that exercise works because the muscle
metabolism remains elevated long after the activity has ceased.

Muscle metabolism remains "elevated" after exercise stops exactly as
long as it takes to remove the lactic acid and other toxic byproducts,
and perhaps to heal any damage caused by the exercise (such as pulls
and strains). This in part explains why one may maintain a lower level
of activity much longer than one may maintain the functional equivalent
of a sprint. If the products of exercise may be removed as they are
being generated the toxins do not build up (as much) and exercise may
be continued much longer for a potentially greater benefit. The point
is that one _does not_ wish to build up lactic acid during normal
exercise. Those sorts of muscular and systemic insults are usually
reserved for performance occasions.

Excercise "works" because muscle mass is maintained and/or gained due
to use. Such gains may be targeted by special exercises and special
work-outs that concentrate on specific muscle groups, but the point of
all of them is to enhance muscle performance through their use. What
lasts are those gains... but only as long as the exercise that
produced them in the first place continues.

There is a LOT of bad information flying about. It is a damned good
thing this is a Tube-related NG, so few here will be affected by it.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA