A new study has found that regular morning workouts may be associated with a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases compared to physical activity performed later in the day, reports Medical Xpress.
The analysis was based on data from more than 14,000 individuals whose activity was tracked using Fitbit devices as part of a large national study.
Participants were divided into groups depending on the time of day they typically engaged in moderate-intensity exercise—defined as periods when their heart rate was elevated for at least 15 consecutive minutes. Researchers then compared activity data with medical records, including the presence of conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, elevated lipid levels, and obesity.
The results showed significant associations: people who exercised more often in the morning had lower показатели across several key health markers. Specifically, their risk of coronary heart disease was 31% lower, the risk of high blood pressure was 18% lower, the likelihood of elevated lipid levels was 21% lower, the risk of type 2 diabetes was 30% lower, and the probability of obesity was 35% lower compared to those who exercised later in the day.
These differences remained even after accounting for total daily physical activity, as well as factors such as age, gender, income level, sleep, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
The strongest association was observed among individuals who exercised between approximately 7 and 8 a.m., which was linked to the lowest rates of coronary issues. Scientists emphasize that these findings reflect an association rather than a proven cause-and-effect relationship: biological or behavioral factors—such as hormones, sleep quality, or overall lifestyle habits—may also play a role in the observed differences.
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