If you rarely have time for training, you should definitely not give up sport completely. Even irregular exercise is good for your health.
The most important thing in a nutshell
- What is the point of doing sports on the weekend?
- A new study shows that even irregular sessions are good for your health.
- Active people have a much lower risk of about 200 diseases.
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The positive effect of sports on our health is unquestionable and proven by numerous studies. But what about those people who only find time for physical activity on weekends? Is there also a measurable positive impact on health?
A research group at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) addressed these questions. They investigated whether occasional intense exercise is enough to improve our health. This is reported at the “Research and Information” online portal.
The “Weekend Warriors”, as the study calls people who only find time for sports activities on the weekend, don’t sweat anything: the “Weekend Warriors” have a much lower risk of around 200 diseases โ and by people who are regularly active. This is compared to people who do no sport at all.
The most significant reduction among physically active people is the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes: 23 to 28% for high blood pressure diseases and 43 to 46% for diabetes diseases. This is always compared to people who do no sport.
The main thing is sport: total volume is more important than regularity
The study shows: Exercising on the weekend can reduce health risks almost as well as regular weekday training. Physical activity is generally beneficial in reducing the risk of future illness.
How often do you exercise?
57%
A few times a week.
1
A few times a week.
23%
Only on weekends, if I don’t have the time.
2
Only on weekends, if I don’t have the time.
Since weekend warriors have similar benefits to regular exercisers, the scientists suggest that the overall amount of activity may be greater than the pattern. The researchers explain this in the specialist journal “Circulation”.
So the message is clear: exercise is important โ whatever the pattern.
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