Weekend warriors, youre in luck.
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We know exercise is important for reducing disease riskeven if you dont lose weight.
For example, regularly engaging in physical activity has been linked toreduced risk of dementiaandheart disease.
Photo:kali9 / Getty Images
Should they just forget about it?
The answer is a resoundingnokeep your active weekend plans!
In fact, new research published in the journalCirculationsheds light on the fitness benefits of being a weekend warrior.
The average age of these participants was 62 and just under two-thirds were women.
Participants were followed up for an average of over six years.
Individuals were placed into one of three categories: inactive, weekend warrior and regular exercisers.
The inactive group didnt meet the minimal weekly physical activity recommendations.
And the regular exercisers met the recommended weekly amount but spread it out throughout the week.
Researchers considered 678 conditions spanning over 16 categories, including mental health, digestive, neurological and cardiometabolic.
How Do These Findings Apply to Real Life?
What if, instead, you could go for one vigorous walk/run for 75 minutes one day a week?
Or do two 40-minute HIIT workouts two days a week?
Both weekend warriors and regular exercisers experienced about the same amount of reduction in disease risk.
This is great news if youve felt defeated trying to meet current exercise guidelines.
Do what works for you and fits your lifestyle.
And rememberany physical activity is better than none, so just get moving!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity: an overview.
- doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.068669
Massachusetts General Hospital.Weekend warrior physical activity may help protect against more than 200 diseases.
