ZAPPING the brain could improve fitness without people having to lift a finger, research suggests.
for just 30 minutes a day for a week was found to boost heart and lung performance in tests.
In the trial on 28 people, a device on the ear was used to stimulate the vagus nerve.
It helps to control bodily processes such as the heartbeat, breathing and .
After a week, participants saw increases in their oxygen uptake.
It also boosted the maximum breathing rate by an average of four breaths per minute, and by four beats per minute during .
Blood tests also suggested lower levels of harmful inflammation.
The findings also indicate out-of-shape people could work up to regular activity with the gadget’s help.
Study author Prof Gareth Ackland of Queen Mary University said: “Increased vagus nerve activity can improve fitness and reduce inflammation.”
The trial in was funded by the British Heart Foundation.
Its chief scientific and medical officer Prof Bryan Williams added: “This may one day be used to improve well-being for people with heart failure.”
Zapping the brain could improve fitness without having to do any exercise 
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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