Getting up early to exercise could have unsuspected benefits for your heart health. According to a recent study presented at the annual American College of Cardiology conference, people who exercise regularly in the morning have significantly lower risks of developing coronary diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or obesity compared to those who exercise later in the day.
“Any exercise is always better than no exercise at all, but we have tried to identify an additional dimension linked to the time of day when we exercise,” explains Prem Patel, a medical student at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and lead author of the study. “If you can exercise in the morning, it seems to be associated with better indicators of cardiometabolic health.”
Numerical benefits
To reach this conclusion, researchers relied on medical records and cardiac data collected through Fitbit devices from over 14,000 people.
The results are significant. Compared to people who exercise later in the day, those who regularly exercise in the morning have 31% lower risk of coronary disease, 18% lower risk of high blood pressure, 21% lower risk of hyperlipidemia (elevated LDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels), 30% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and 35% lower risk of obesity.
One particularly interesting point: exercising between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. seemed particularly effective.
Why would morning exercise be more beneficial?
The researchers specify that their study establishes an association and not a cause-effect relationship. Several factors could explain these results. First, there are biological factors: hormones, sleep, and genetics could play a role in the observed associations.
Behavioral factors are also important. Exercising early could lead to higher energy levels and healthier food choices throughout the day.
Finally, psychological factors should not be overlooked. People who exercise in the morning may generally prioritize healthier habits.
