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last mo.

Weekend-Only Exercise Offers Comparable Health Benefits to Daily Workouts

New research confirms 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity weekly lowers mortality risks, regardless of distribution across days.

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“Weekend warriors” may be at greater risk of injury if they increase their activity too quickly or fail to warm up
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Overview

  • A study of over 93,000 UK participants found that weekend warriors, who concentrate exercise into one or two days, experience similar health benefits as those who exercise throughout the week.
  • Both activity patterns reduce the risk of death from all causes by 32%, cardiovascular disease by 31%, and cancer by 21% compared to inactive individuals.
  • The research underscores that total weekly activity volume is more important for health benefits than how exercise is distributed across days.
  • The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, is the first to use accelerometer data, offering more accurate insights than previous self-reported studies.
  • Experts caution that weekend warriors may face a slightly higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries, emphasizing the need for proper warm-ups and gradual progression.