Physical activity lasting 2.5 hours concentrated mainly over a weekend has a comparable effectiveness on cardiovascular risks as if it is spread over several days of the week.
- According to a study published in JAMA, having moderate to intense physical activity concentrated over a weekend or spread out over the week does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Regular physical activity of moderate or intense intensity and at least 2.5 hours per week protects against cardiovascular diseases.
- The risk of cardiovascular disease is greater in people who have less than 2.5 hours of moderate to intense physical activity per week.
Current WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations are 150 minutes or more moderate activitybut without details on the schedule to follow.
An American study published on July 18, 2023 in the JAMA (Newspaper of American Medical Association) brought more detail to this. It confirms, in fact, that carrying out a moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity of 150 minutes (2h30) over 1 or 2 days, was the same, in terms of risk of occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, as spreading this activity over several days in the week.
Several modes of planning sports activity in a week
The study involved 89,573 people, with an average age of 62 years, including 56% women, whose physical activity data over an entire week came from measurements from an accelerometer worn on the wrist. The analysis was carried out between June 8, 2013 and December 30, 2015.
Three models of physical activity were compared: subjects with activity mainly on weekends greater than or equal to 150 minutes, half of which carried out over 1 or 2 days, people with regular and active activity greater than or equal to 150 minutes but spread over several days in the week, and so-called “inactive” individuals with physical activity which did not reach this level and was therefore less than 150 minutes.
Of the 89,573 subjects, 37,872 people (42.2%) were part of the “active” weekend group, 21,473 (24%) of the regular physical activity group during the week and 30,228 (33.7%) of the “inactive” group. “.
Equal cardiovascular risk regardless of the distribution of physical activity
The analysis of each of the data from these 3 groups confirms that the risk of atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder), heart failure and stroke is identical whether moderate or intense physical activity of 2.5 hours is carried out. concentrated over 1 or 2 days (the weekend for example) or uniformly over several days of the week. But also that it was lower in the 2 “active” weekend and “regular physical activity” groups compared to the “inactive” groups.
Having regular physical activity is therefore just as effective on our cardiovascular health, whatever the distribution over the week. The key is to adapt this activity to your physical capabilities. For preserved health, let’s fight a sedentary lifestyle as best we can.
