This will work best for people who are overweight.
For individuals living with obesity, incorporating exercise into their routine is crucial. Exercise aids in burning calories, building muscle, and reducing visceral fat, thereby promoting overall health. Additionally, it can positively impact mood, facilitating the adoption of healthier lifestyle choices.
Given the demands of modern life, many people seek to maximize the effectiveness of their exercise regimen. Consequently, the question arises: is there an optimal time of day for physical activity?
According to a study published in the journal Diabetes Care on April 10, 2024, evening exercise may offer the most significant health benefits, particularly for those aiming to improve their fitness levels.
Researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, conducted a study involving nearly 30,000 individuals with obesity, aged 40 and above, including almost 3,000 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Over a span of nearly eight years, participants wore activity trackers to monitor their engagement in moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, such as activities that elevate heart rate and breathing.
The study categorized individuals based on the timing of their aerobic activity: morning, afternoon, or evening. It also examined the frequency of aerobic exercise bouts, defining each instance of sustained activity as one bout.
Upon analyzing the data, researchers observed that individuals who engaged in moderate to vigorous activities during the evening, particularly between 6 p.m. and midnight, exhibited the lowest risk of premature death. Furthermore, they were less susceptible to cardiovascular and microvascular diseases.
Interestingly, the frequency of aerobic exercise bouts appeared to be more significant than the total duration of physical activity throughout the day. However, it’s important to note that the study did not track structured exercise, making it challenging to ascertain specific activities undertaken by participants.
Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, joint first author of the study, emphasized this limitation, stating that the direction of causality could not be definitively determined due to the observational nature of the study.
Nevertheless, experts like Sergii Putsov, PhD in Sports Science and Head of Sport Science at Torokhtiy Weightlifting, highlighted the potential benefits of evening exercise for individuals with obesity. Besides enhancing sleep quality and reducing stress, evening exercise may improve metabolic function and promote feelings of happiness and well-being.
Ultimately, while evening exercise shows promise in improving health outcomes for individuals with obesity, further research is warranted to elucidate its full impact and potential mechanisms.
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