THE AFFECTS ON YOUR BODY IF YOU ONLY EXERCISE ON WEEKENDS
Everyone is aware of the health benefits of exercise. It can be challenging to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, though. Friendships, housework, children, and jobs all require time. Exercise may start to fade from memory. However, Nature Ageing recently provided some comforting news. Researchers from the United Kingdom examined thousands of participants and found that even "weekend warriors," or those who work out just a few days a week, still benefited greatly from these bursts of activity. Therefore, rest assured that it is beneficial to you even if you only get to go to the gym, stroll the neighbourhood sidewalks, or engage in active playtime with the kids on the weekends.
A Chinese research team made use of the UK Biobank, a vast data resource. After following 75,000 participants for an average of slightly more than eight years, they examined their data. A variety of health data, including death rates, were compared. A portion of the participants did not meet the target of 150 minutes of moderate- or medium-intense exercise per week due to inactivity. Some people exercise in regular spurts throughout the week. In the meantime, the amiable weekend warriors worked out occasionally for a few days in a row but not for the entire week.
To take into consideration differences in sex, past drug use, and pre-existing illnesses like diabetes, the researchers examined their data. Comparing the 24,300 sedentary participants' health to that of their more active counterparts revealed disparities. However, the study's 30,000-weekend warriors showed comparable health outcomes to their colleagues who engaged in regular physical activity. They recorded a 26% decreased risk of dementia, a 21% decreased risk of stroke, and a 45% decreased risk of receiving a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. These preventive benefits were more pronounced in individuals over 65, indicating the vital role exercise plays in maintaining good health as one age. Rates of anxiety and depression were 37% and 40% lower, respectively.
To be clear, "weekend warriors" can work out any two days in a row during the week; they are not limited to doing so on the technical weekend. Similarly, engaging in non-gym activities has a lot of positive health effects. It is advantageous to increase heart rate in any way that you find comfortable. Getting the blood flowing and the muscles contracting is crucial. The study suggests that moving is best, no matter how or when you can, but it does not rule out other potential causes that could affect the results.