Study Shows Optimal Time for Exercise to Maximize Health Benefits

A recent study published in the journal Diabetes Care has shed light on the importance of the timing of physical activity. Researchers at the University of Sydney followed nearly 30,000 adults over eight years to determine whether exercising in the morning or at night had a greater impact on health.

The study found that individuals who engaged in aerobic moderate to vigorous physical activity in the evening, between 6pm and midnight, had the lowest risk of premature death and death from cardiovascular disease. The frequency of physical activity in the evening, regardless of the type of activity, was more important than the total amount of physical activity done throughout the day.

Dr. Ahmadi, a National Heart Foundation postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Sydney, emphasized that the study did not just track structured exercise but also everyday activities like power walking or cleaning the house. The researchers accounted for various factors such as age, sex, smoking, and sedentary time to limit bias in their findings.

While the study’s observational design prevents establishing causal links, Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, the study’s senior author, highlighted the potential implications for obesity and Type 2 diabetes management. Further research is needed to confirm the findings, but the study suggests that the timing of physical activity could play a crucial role in preventive healthcare strategies.