A new study shows that “weekend warriors” – those who pack their physical activity into one or two days per week – may enjoy similar heart-health benefits as those who spread the same amount of exercise throughout the week. The findings suggest that any physical activity, even if concentrated in a couple of days, could improve cardiovascular health, providing a positive outlook for those with busy schedules who are unable to exercise daily.
Key Points:
- Despite initial soreness and potential risk of injury, engaging in physical activity during the weekend, whether it be touch football or mountain biking, can have potential health benefits.
- A “weekend warrior” approach to physical activity, which involves packing moderate to vigorous activity into one or two days per week, could provide similar cardiovascular benefits to more evenly distributed exercise routines.
- The regularity of the activity could enhance overall health and fitness levels, as long as injuries are avoided.
- The research suggests that efforts to increase physical activity, even if it’s limited to a day or two each week, could improve heart health.
- Dr. Patrick Ellinor, acting chief of cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and senior author of the study, affirmed these findings, further highlighting the flexibility individuals have in scheduling their exercise routines for optimal health.
Source: https://medium.com/wise-well/weekend-warrior-vs-daily-exercise-does-it-matter-174e821cf4f1
