The study found that “weekend warriors” who engage in physical activity only on weekends are at a lower risk of developing 264 diseases compared to those who are inactive. People who exercise on weekends have similar benefits to those who work out regularly throughout the week. Individuals who fall into the weekend warrior category have lower risks of various diseases spanning a broad spectrum, including chronic kidney disease, mood disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The study involved nearly 90,000 UK residents who wore wrist accelerometers to track their physical activity levels and exercise intensities over one week.
Participants in the study were divided into three groups: weekend warriors, regular exercisers, and inactive individuals. The research team examined the associations between different activity patterns and the incidence of 678 different conditions across 16 types of diseases, including mental health issues, digestive problems, neurological disorders, and others. Both weekend warriors and regular gym-goers showed significantly lower risks for over 200 diseases compared to those who were inactive. The strongest associations were found for cardiometabolic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, with both groups showing decreased risks.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Circulation, highlighting the potential benefits of weekend warrior activity for overall health. The study showed consistent results across different definitions of weekend warrior activity, suggesting that the total volume of physical activity may be more important than the pattern of activity. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening exercises per week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends breaking up physical activity into smaller chunks of time throughout the week to meet the recommended guidelines. Aerobic exercise has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including lowering the risk of stroke, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping bones strong, and improving mental health. The study emphasizes the importance of engaging in regular physical activity, whether spread out over the week or done in larger chunks on weekends, to reduce the risk of developing various diseases and promote overall health and well-being.
