Exercising for a healthy heart

In a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers explored the benefits of different exercise patterns on heart disease risk. Current guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week to lower the risk of heart disease. However, the researchers wanted to understand whether the distribution of exercise throughout the week made a difference in achieving these benefits.

The participants were categorised into three groups: 'weekend warriors' (around 40%), who accumulated half or more of the recommended 150 minutes of MVPA over 1-2 days; 'regular exercisers' (about 25%), who spread their 150 minutes of MVPA throughout the week; and 'inactive' individuals (about 35%) who did not meet the recommended MVPA level.

The risks of heart disease in both active groups (weekend warriors and regular exercisers) were approximately 20–37% lower for atrial fibrillation, 31-37% lower for myocardial infarction (heart attack), 37–37% lower for heart failure, and 19–37% lower for stroke than in the inactive group.

These findings suggest that, regardless of how physical activity is distributed throughout the week, meeting the recommended 150 minutes of MVPA can substantially lower the risk of heart disease. Whether individuals engage in regular exercise or opt for weekend warrior-style activity, they can enjoy similar protective benefits for their heart health.