"Daily Exercise vs Weekend Exercise"…Surprising US Study Results on Mortality Risk Analysis

Exercising Intensively on Weekends
Reduces Risk of Death as Much as Exercising Regularly

A study has found that exercising only two days on the weekend can provide the same health benefits as exercising throughout the entire week.

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On the 2nd (local time), the UK’s The Mirror reported, citing research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study showed that exercising only on the two weekend days reduces the risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and cancer incidence. The UK National Health Service (NHS) recommends about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise per week for people’s health. This study analyzed medical and lifestyle data to investigate how different patterns of 150 minutes of exercise affect health.

The study tracked data from 93,000 British individuals aged 37 to 73 over eight years. Forty-two percent of participants exercised only on weekends. Twenty-four percent exercised throughout the week, and 34% did not exercise. The results showed that those who exercised on weekends had a 32% lower risk of death from all diseases, a 31% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and a 21% lower risk of death from cancer. Those who exercised throughout the week had a 26% lower risk of death from all diseases, a 24% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and a 13% lower risk of death from cancer.

Li Zihao, a professor of epidemiology at Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, said, "There is no need to exercise every day to maintain health," adding, "As long as you do at least 150 minutes of moderate or higher intensity exercise per week, whether in one session or multiple sessions per day, you can reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or other causes."

However, Keith Diaz, a professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, USA, emphasized, "Some studies suggest that people who exercise in concentrated sessions have a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries compared to those who exercise regularly," and warned, "Trying to exercise for 150 minutes at once can put strain on the body."