I used to think that if I didn’t wake up at the crack of dawn to get my exercise in, I wasn’t doing it right. Turns out, there’s good news for those of us who aren’t exactly early birds! A recent study suggests that evening workouts might actually be better for us, especially if we’re dealing with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Imagine this: You’ve had a long day, and instead of crashing on the couch, you decide to take a brisk evening walk or hit the gym for some aerobic exercise. This might sound like the last thing you want to do after a tiring day, but the benefits could be worth it. Researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which includes health information from about half a million Brits. They found that people who got their medium-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the evening had significantly lower mortality rates compared to those who were less active.
The study divided participants into three groups based on when they exercised: morning (6 AM to 12 PM), afternoon (12 PM to 6 PM), and evening (6 PM to 12 AM). Out of around 30,000 participants, nearly 3,000 had type 2 diabetes. The results were pretty clear. Evening exercisers had a hazard ratio of 0.39, meaning they were almost three times less likely to die than those who didn’t exercise. For diabetics, the evening exercise effect was even stronger, with a hazard ratio of 0.24.
Not only did evening workouts help reduce all-cause mortality, but they also had a significant impact on cardiovascular disease. The evening group saw a substantial reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, while the morning and afternoon groups showed more modest benefits. The same trend was observed for microvascular diseases like nephropathy and retinopathy, with evening exercise again leading the pack.
This study suggests that if you’re struggling to fit exercise into your morning routine, it’s okay to shift your focus to later in the day. Short, regular bouts of aerobic exercise, especially in the evening, can have a profound impact on your health. So next time you’re debating whether to go for a walk after dinner, remember that it could be one of the best decisions for your longevity and overall health.
Ready to switch up your workout routine? Give evening exercise a try and see how it fits into your lifestyle. It might just become your favorite part of the day! 🌅
Read the original Article here>> Evening Aerobic Exercise Associated with Least Mortality