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Does Exercising More Frequently Matter? New Study May Surprise You.

If you struggle to fit exercise into your busy work week, there is good news. A new study published in JAMA suggests that weekend workouts might be just as beneficial for your heart as spreading your activity throughout the week. Guidelines recommend 150 minutes or more of moderate to high intensity physical activity per week for overall health benefit, but whether those exercise minutes should be spread out throughout the week was unclear– until now.

Weekend Warriors or Weeklong Warriors?

A study, conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School, analyzed data from nearly 90,000 people to explore the relationship between exercise patterns and cardiovascular health. Surprisingly, they found that whether participants exercised intensively on weekends or spread their workouts throughout the week, the benefits for heart health were similar.
According to the study, it's not the timing of exercise that matters most, but rather the total duration of the activity. This means that exercising just a couple of days a week can provide heart health benefits that are as good as exercising throughout the week.

Consistent Exercise Benefits Heart Health No Matter When It Occurs

No matter how you managed to fit your workouts into your week, those who did at least 150 minutes of medium to high intensity exercise were less likely to suffer from heart attacks, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and strokes. 
Even small amounts of exercise can have significant health benefits, especially for those who struggle to meet the recommended 150 minutes per week. The key is to find a routine that works for you and fits into your lifestyle.

Start Moving Today for a Healthier Heart Tomorrow

The bottom line? It’s never too late to start prioritizing your heart health. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or prefer shorter daily activity, every bit of movement counts. If you’re unsure where to begin, start with simple things like walking and gradually increase your intensity.
So lace up your sneakers, hit the pavement, and take the first step towards a healthier heart today.  Not sure how to get started on your fitness program? Here are 5 steps to get started from Mayo Clinic you might want to explore.

CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS

Sinikka Green, MD

Dr. Green is the Medical Director and a Principal Investigator at Care Access. She is board certified in emergency medicine.

SOURCES

  1. Khurshid S, Al-Alusi MA, Churchill TW, Guseh JS, Ellinor PT. Accelerometer-Derived “Weekend Warrior” Physical Activity and Incident Cardiovascular Disease. JAMA. 2023;330(3):247–252. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.10875

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