Being a ‘weekend warrior’ could be as good for brain health as exercising throughout the week, new study shows

Being a ‘weekend warrior’ could be as good for brain health as exercising throughout the week, new study shows

Are you a busy professional who only manages to squeeze in a workout on the weekends? Or perhaps you’re a parent who fits in a quick jog during your child’s naptime? You might be relieved to know that a new study suggests that “weekend warriors” – individuals who get most of their exercise on one or two days a week – may enjoy similar brain health and mental health benefits as those who exercise regularly throughout the week.

The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, analyzed data from over 75,000 people from the UK Biobank, a large cohort study tracking the health of about half a million people in the United Kingdom. The researchers followed participants for a median period of 8.4 years, tracking the onset of neurological diseases such as dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as psychological disorders like depression and anxiety.

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What the Study Did

The researchers categorized participants into three groups: inactive, regularly active, and “weekend warriors”. The inactive group did not meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, while the regularly active group met the guidelines with activity spread throughout the week. The “weekend warriors” group met the guidelines by accumulating more than 50% of their activity across one to two days.

The results showed that compared to inactive adults, “weekend warriors” had a 26% lower risk of developing dementia, a 21% lower risk of stroke, and a 45% lower risk of Parkinson’s disease. Their risk was 40% and 37% lower for depression and anxiety, respectively, compared to the inactive group. These figures were comparable to outcomes for those who were regularly active.

Weekend Warriors Reap Big Rewards

The researchers found that as long as people accumulated the majority of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on any one or two days of the week, even if these weren’t consecutive days, they achieved similar health benefits. This aligns with a growing body of research that shows that the health benefits of exercise are not limited to traditional gym-based exercise.

What If Weekends Are Off-Limits?

What if weekends are off-limits for exercise due to work, family duties, or other commitments? Fortunately, the researchers explored different patterns of the “weekend warrior” lifestyle. They found that as long as people accumulated the majority of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on any one or two days of the week, even if these weren’t consecutive days, they achieved similar health benefits.

Conclusion

The findings of this study are reassuring for those who struggle to fit exercise into their daily routine. It’s not necessary to exercise every day to reap the health benefits of physical activity. Even one or two days of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week can have a significant impact on brain health and mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get the same health benefits from shorter, more frequent workouts or longer, less frequent workouts?
A: The study used activity trackers that monitored all types of activities, so regardless of how you accumulate your moderate-to-vigorous activity, you’ll reap the health benefits.

Q: Is it necessary to exercise for 150 minutes per week to get the health benefits?
A: The study’s findings suggest that accumulating the majority of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on any one or two days of the week is enough to achieve similar health benefits.

Q: Are there any limitations to this study?
A: The researchers accounted for various lifestyle and health factors, but it’s still possible that other factors could have influenced some of the associations. Additionally, the study couldn’t assess how changes in physical activity over time might impact brain health.

Q: Can I get the same health benefits from household chores or daily activities?
A: Yes, the study’s findings suggest that even short bursts of daily activities like stair climbing or household chores can have a positive impact on brain health and mental health.