High-intensity physical activity on weekends provides heart-related benefits similar to regular exercise.
Exercising at a moderate to high intensity during weekends can significantly reduce the risk of heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart attacks, much like those who engage in regular physical activity.
The researchers noted that many people lead busy lives with work and family commitments, leaving them little time for regular exercise routines.
Engaging in at least 150 minutes of high-intensity exercise over the weekend can help lower the risk of heart-related ailments. (Illustrative image: James Manning).
Consequently, scientists have discovered that this model of high-intensity exercise on weekends can reduce the risk of heart-related diseases.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Patrick Ellinor, director of the Corrigan Minehan Heart Center at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), USA, stated:
“Our findings show that measures to increase physical activity, even if concentrated on one or two days a week, can lead to improved cardiovascular outcomes.”
The UK National Health Service (NHS) recommends aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week or at least 150 minutes of high-intensity activity over the weekend.
The research team analyzed data from 89,573 individuals in the UK Biobank.
All participants wore wrist accelerometers, devices similar to fitness watches that measure heart rate, step count, daily activity speed and distance, and total physical activity over the week and month.
In the study, 33.7% of participants reported not engaging in physical activity, while 42.2% were classified as active weekend exercisers (at least 150 minutes over the weekend), and approximately 24% engaged in regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes spread throughout the week).
The results indicated that both regular physical activity and high-intensity weekend exercises are beneficial for cardiovascular health. Specifically, those who engaged in vigorous weekend exercise had a 27% lower risk of heart attacks, while those who exercised regularly had a 35% lower risk compared to non-exercisers.
Similarly, these two activity patterns reduced the risk of heart failure by 38% and 36%, atrial fibrillation by 22% and 19%, and stroke risk by 21% and 17%, respectively, compared to those who did not engage in physical activity.
To enhance health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, we should aim to exercise, such as jogging regularly for at least 150 minutes spread throughout the week or engage in high-intensity physical activity for about 150 minutes over the weekend.
