Timing and Regularity of Exercise Key Factor in Maintaining Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Older Adults
Studies over the years have highlighted the crucial role of the body's circadian rhythm in overall health, with disruptions in the natural sleep-wake cycle increasing the risk of various health conditions. Researchers have found that the circadian rhythm also governs the times we perform activities during the day, including when we exercise.
A new study published in the journal "Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise" suggests that people who work out regularly at the same time every day may experience improved cardiovascular and lung health as they age. The researchers believe this could be due to the body's circadian rhythm, working in tandem with the timing of physical activity, to maintain overall health.
Older adults and cardiorespiratory fitness
For this study, approximately 800 older adults, aged 76 on average, wore wrist-worn accelerometers to measure their daily activity levels for seven days. The participants also underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess their heart and lung health.
According to Karyn Esser, PhD, the study's senior author and professor at the University of Florida, "Cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of how well your heart, lungs, and muscles work together in response to exercise." Higher values are associated with a longer lifespan and lower mortality risks, she explained.
The study also assessed walking efficiency, considered another indicator of healthy aging, as it reflects the body's energy usage during walking.
Earlier and more consistent activity linked to better health outcomes
Analysis of the data showed that older adults with more activity during their active hours relative to their resting time, and whose maximum daily activity occurred earlier in the day, tended to have better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency. Consistent daily activity patterns, with the highest activity happening at the same time every day, were also associated with better health outcomes.
Esser noted that earlier peak activity was linked to better outcomes even when taking into account the amount of activity, implying that get moving earlier in the day could provide health benefits. Furthermore, the amount of activity during the day was found to be important, as expected.
Importance of timing and consistency for maintaining health as we age
Esser concluded that maintaining a consistent daily exercise routine, taking into account the timing and regularity of the activity, is critical for maintaining health as we age. "While we are living longer, in general, we are not living healthier," she explained. "It is essential to find ways to help people maintain or improve their health while aging."
The study's findings suggest that earlier time of activity and consistency in the activity pattern may offer benefits in addition to the activity itself and may work with the body's intrinsic circadian clock system to maintain health.
According to Esser, the research team is currently expanding their clinical study to investigate the impact of circadian rhythm activity behavior on sleep, pain, cognition, and mental health. They also have ongoing preclinical studies to determine more mechanistically how the timing of activity impacts health with aging.
Implications for tailoring exercise recommendations
Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, commented on the study's findings, stating that the study found an association between the timing of daily physical activity and cardiopulmonary fitness. This implies that future exercise recommendations may be tailored based on the timing of activity to optimize physiological benefits.
Chen noted that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health as we age, and strategies to improve fitness could help reduce the burden of age-related chronic diseases in society. More research will be needed to determine whether intentionally changing and optimizing the rhythm of daily physical activity will lead to better health outcomes.
- Researchers suggest that regular exercise at the same time each day may improve cardiovascular and lung health as people age, potentially due to the body's circadian rhythm working in tandem with physical activity.
- In a study involving 800 older adults, those with more activity during their active hours relative to their resting time, and whose maximum daily activity occurred earlier in the day, tends to have better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency.
- Karyn Esser, the study's senior author, explained that cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of how well the heart, lungs, and muscles work together in response to exercise, and higher values are associated with a longer lifespan and lower mortality risks.
- The study's findings indicate that earlier peak activity and consistency in the activity pattern may offer additional benefits beyond the activity itself, potentially working with the body's intrinsic circadian clock system to maintain health.
- Esser suggests that maintaining a consistent daily exercise routine, taking into account the timing and regularity of the activity, is crucial for maintaining health as people age.
- Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, stated that future exercise recommendations may be tailored based on the timing of activity to optimize physiological benefits, potentially reducing the burden of age-related chronic diseases in society.
