“Evening physical activity can significantly enhance health outcomes, especially in managing obesity and cardiovascular health,” says public health expert, Dr Jagadish J Hiremath.
Does the time of day you choose to exercise impact your health? To answer these questions, researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, released the findings in a new study published last week. The results suggest that undertaking most of your physical activity in the evening could offer significant health benefits, especially for people living with obesity.
The study, which tracked 30,000 people over nearly 8 years, found that those who engaged in the majority of their aerobic moderate to vigorous exercise between 6pm and midnight had the lowest risk of premature death and cardiovascular disease.
Dr Jagadish J Hiremath, public health expert based in Bangalore, says, “Evening physical activity can significantly enhance health outcomes, especially in managing obesity and cardiovascular health.”
This timing exploits the body’s natural physiological state at the end of the day when metabolism begins to slow. Engaging in activity during this period, he states, can maintain a heightened metabolic rate, extend the body’s period of increased energy expenditure, and more efficiently utilise glucose, which can otherwise elevate blood sugar levels if not metabolised.
Additionally, because muscle strength and flexibility may peak late afternoon and evening due to increases in body temperature, Dr Hiremath agrees that exercises performed during these hours can be more effective and potentially reduce the risk of injuries.
Physiological rationale for enhanced evening exercise outcomes
The circadian rhythm, or the body’s internal clock, regulates various biological functions, including hormone release, muscle function, and metabolism, Dr Hiremath informs.
Evening is a time when certain hormones that aid in metabolism and muscle repair, such as testosterone and growth hormone, are elevated. Exercising during this period capitalises on these natural hormonal boosts, improving the body’s ability to build muscle and burn fat.