Exercise Scheduling and Regularity Impact Heart and Lung Fitness Levels
Researchers Explore the Benefits of Consistent Daily Exercise on Cardiovascular and Lung Health in Older adults
Recent research suggests that maintaining a regular exercise routine, particularly at the same time each day, may have profound effects on the health of older adults. According to a study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, such routine could lead to improved cardiovascular and lung health in the long run.
Previous studies have established a link between disruptions in the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and an increased risk of several health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and certain cancers. The circadian rhythm not only dictates sleep patterns but also regulates the timing of various physiological activities, including exercise.
The study recruited about 800 older adults with an average age of 76 years. Each participant wore wrist-worn accelerometers for seven days to measure their daily activity, and they also underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess their heart and lung health.
Karyn Esser, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Aging in the College of Medicine at the University of Florida, senior author of the study, explained that cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of how well the body responds to exercise, with higher values being strongly associated with longer lifespan and lower mortality risks.
The study further found that participants who had more activity during the active part of their day relative to their resting time, and whose maximum daily activity happened earlier in the day, were linked to better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency. The consistency in daily activity patterns, with the highest activity time occurring at the same time every day, was also observed to be correlated with improved health outcomes.
Esser emphasized the importance of adhering to a daily exercise program, with attention to the timing and consistency of activity as key factors for maintaining health as we age. Despite the fact that people are living longer in general, they are not necessarily living healthier. Esser and her team propose that the timing and reproducibility of the activity work in conjunction with our intrinsic circadian clock system to maintain health.
The study's findings could pave the way for future tailored exercise recommendations to optimize physiological benefits, according to Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist. Regular exercise is crucial for overall health, and as our population ages, strategies to improve physical fitness could help reduce the burden of disease in society. More research is needed to determine if deliberately adjusting the rhythm of daily physical activity will lead to better health outcomes.
- Consistent daily exercise, particularly during the active part of the day, may have significant benefits for seniors' cardiovascular and lung health, as suggested by recent research published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise.
- The study's findings demonstrate that participants with more activity during their active time and whose maximum daily activity occurred earlier in the day showed better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency.
- Synchronizing daily activity patterns, with the highest activity time occurring at the same time every day, correlates with improved health outcomes, as indicated by the study.
- In the light of this research, it is emphasized that adhering to a daily exercise program, with focus on the timing and consistency of activity, is crucial for maintaining health as we age.
- Regular exercise has emerged as a vital element for general health, especially as our population continues to age, and strategies to optimize physical fitness can help reduce the burden of disease across society.
- More research is necessary to determine if adjusting the rhythm of daily physical activity will result in even better health outcomes, as proposed by the study's authors, who believe that the timing and reproducibility of the activity work alongside our intrinsic circadian clock system to maintain health.
