A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has given new depth to our understanding of the relationship between physical activity patterns and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study focused on the so-called "Weekend Warriors," those individuals who tend to cram their weekly exercise routine into one or two days on the weekend, rather than spreading it evenly throughout the week.
For years, medical professionals and fitness experts have debated the effectiveness and safety of the Weekend Warrior exercise routine, which is characterized by intense bouts of physical activity followed by periods of relative inactivity. This JAMA study, which used accelerometer-derived data to track activity levels, provides us with novel insights into how such a pattern of exercise might influence the incidence of CVD.
The researchers used accelerometers to collect activity data from nearly 40,000 participants. This data was then divided into categories, one of which was the "Weekend Warrior" category, comprising those individuals who completed at least 75% of their vigorous physical activity over the weekend. The rest of the participants were grouped into regular exercisers and sedentary individuals for comparison.
Over a median follow-up period of ten years, the incidence of CVD events was monitored. What they found might surprise many. The study revealed that, after adjusting for various factors like age, sex, smoking, alcohol intake, and diet, Weekend Warriors had a significantly lower incidence of CVD compared to their sedentary counterparts. However, their risk was slightly higher than regular exercisers who spread out their physical activity throughout the week.
These findings suggest that while the Weekend Warrior lifestyle is not optimal compared to daily exercise, it is certainly better than leading a sedentary lifestyle. This news might come as a relief to those who struggle to find time to exercise during the week due to work or other commitments.
Interestingly, the study also found that the intensity of the weekend physical activity did not have a significant effect on the incidence of CVD. This suggests that it's the fact of being active itself, rather than the intensity of the activity, that matters when it comes to reducing the risk of CVD.
While this study provides valuable insight, it is not without its limitations. The research was observational, meaning that it can show associations but cannot definitively prove cause and effect. There is also the potential for errors or biases in self-reported data, although the use of accelerometers helped to mitigate this risk.
Nevertheless, this research underscores the importance of physical activity, no matter when it happens. If you can't spread your exercise throughout the week, then being a Weekend Warrior is still preferable to being sedentary.
This study emphasizes the need for further research into the health impacts of different exercise patterns. While current guidelines encourage spreading physical activity throughout the week, they might need to be revised to reflect the reality of people's busy lives. After all, if cramming exercise into the weekend can still significantly reduce the risk of CVD, then it's something that healthcare professionals might need to consider when giving advice on exercise and activity.
In conclusion, the recent JAMA study on the Weekend Warrior lifestyle presents valuable findings that could potentially influence public health guidance. While being a Weekend Warrior may not be as beneficial as daily exercise, it's a huge leap forward from being sedentary. As we continue to advance our understanding of physical activity and cardiovascular health, it becomes more evident that when it comes to exercise, something is indeed better than nothing.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2807286
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heart-health/weekend-workouts-heart-health-two-day-week-rcna94707
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/18/health/weekend-warrior-cardiovascular-workout-wellness/index.html
