“Any exercise is always better than no exercise at all, but we have tried to identify an additional dimension related to the time of day when exercising,” explains Prem Patel, a medical student at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and lead author of the study. “If you can exercise in the morning, it seems to be associated with better indicators of cardiometabolic health.”
Quantifiable benefits
To reach this conclusion, researchers relied on medical records and cardiac data collected through Fitbit devices – physical activity monitors and connected watches – from over 14,000 individuals.
The results are clear. Compared to people who exercise later in the day, those who regularly exercise in the morning have:
– 31% lower risk of coronary heart disease;
– 18% lower risk of high blood pressure;
– 21% lower risk of hyperlipidemia (high levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides);
– 30% lower risk of type 2 diabetes;
– 35% lower risk of obesity.
A particularly interesting point: exercise between 7:00 and 8:00 in the morning seemed to be particularly effective.
Why is morning exercise more beneficial?
The researchers clarify that their study establishes an association and not a cause-and-effect relationship. Several factors could explain these results:
– Biological factors: hormones, sleep, or genetics could play a role in the observed associations.
– Behavioral factors: exercising in the morning could lead to higher energy levels and healthier food choices throughout the day.
– Psychological factors: people who exercise in the morning may generally prioritize healthy habits.
