The Importance of Exercise Timing and Regularity in Maintaining Cardiovascular Health and Lung Fitness
Over the past few years, research has shed light on the significant impact of the body's circadian rhythm on overall health. Disruptions in the natural sleep-wake cycle have been linked to an increased risk for several health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and certain cancers.
In addition to regulating sleep patterns, the circadian rhythm also determines the times a person performs daily activities, such as when they exercise. A study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise suggests that maintaining a consistent exercise schedule can contribute to improved cardiovascular and lung health as individuals age.
Researchers recruited about 800 older adults with an average age of 76 for the study. The participants wore wrist-worn accelerometers for seven days to measure their daily activity and underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess heart and lung health.
Karyn Esser, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Aging at the University of Florida, noted that cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of how well the heart, lungs, and muscles work together in response to exercise. Higher values are strongly associated with longer lifespan and lower mortality risks.
The study found that participants who had the most activity during the active part of their day relative to their daily resting time, and whose maximum daily activity happened earlier in the day, had better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency. Esser explained that earlier peak activity was associated with better outcomes even after taking the amount of activity into account. consistency in daily activity patterns, with the highest activity time happening at the same time every day, was also linked to better health outcomes.
Esser suggested that maintaining a daily program of activity, including paying attention to the timing and consistency of activity, is important for maintaining health as we age. She pointed out that while people are living longer, they are not necessarily living healthier, and it is essential to find ways to help individuals maintain or improve their health while aging.
Esser also stated that her lab is conducting ongoing research on how the timing and reproducibility of activity impact health with aging. The ultimate goal is to develop tailored exercise recommendations to optimize the physiological benefits of exercise for older adults.
Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, commented on the study, suggesting that it may eventually be possible to better tailor exercise recommendations to optimize the physiological benefits for individuals as they age. He highlighted the importance of regular exercise for maintaining good health as the population ages, and encouraged further research to determine the optimal timing of physical activity for improved health outcomes.
- As more research emerges about the circadian rhythm, its role in promoting heart and lung health during aging has become increasingly clear.
- A study on seniors showed that people with consistent exercise schedules and higher activity levels during the active part of their day had better cardiorespiratory fitness.
- The study also found that earlier peak activity was associated with better health outcomes, even after the amount of activity was accounted for.
- Improving fitness and exercise consistency, particularly at the optimal time, can potentially lead to improved health and longevity for individuals aging.
- Researchers are exploring the impact of activity timing and reproducibility on health outcomes and aim to develop tailored exercise recommendations for older adults.
- Regular fitness, particularly when done at consistent times each day, is crucial for supporting good health and well-being as the population ages, according to some experts in the field.
