Physical activity is crucial for good health, but many people find it difficult to do workouts during the work week. Some are weekend warriors, exercising intensely when they find the time. Can leisure time pursuits such as golf or tennis on the weekend contribute to fitness and good health? Just as important, can they help us maintain brain health?
Weekend Warriors Get Protection from Brain Conditions:
Most experts acknowledge that physical activity is good for the brain as well as for the cardiovascular system, muscles and other parts of the body. Research over the last several years reinforces that message. But do you have to exercise every day, or do weekend warriors also get some benefit?
An analysis of data from the UK Biobank has a reassuring answer (Nature Aging, Aug. 21, 2024). More than 75,000 participants wore accelerometers that measured their physical activity over the course of a week. These devices (fancier than a Fitbit but similar in principle) were worn on the wrist. They showed when and how much people exercised.
The researchers categorized the participants as inactive, regularly active (getting 150 minutes of activity throughout the week) and weekend warriors who got more than 50% of those 150 minutes on just one or two days. After more than 8 years of followup, they determined whether people developed neurological or psychological conditions.
What Were the Outcomes?
Both groups of physically active people were significantly less likely to have developed dementia, stroke or Parkinson disease during that time. They also had a significantly lower chance of developing depression or anxiety compared to those who were inactive. The reduced risks for stroke, Parkinson disease and dementia were especially noticeable among volunteers over 65 years old.
Weekend warriors did not have to be getting their exercise on the actual weekends to benefit. The study shows that exercise is beneficial for the brain however it is distributed through the week.
Studying Weekend Warriors:
Previously, a British study of more than 60,000 adults also found that weekend warriors got substantial benefit from their activity (JAMA Internal Medicine, online Jan. 9, 2017). That was true even for those who exercised only a few times a week.
These people got at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week. Compared to sedentary individuals, their risk of death from any cause was at least 30 percent lower, nearly comparable to that of people who exercised regularly throughout the week. These folks lowered their chance of dying from cancer as well as from heart disease.
Learn More:
People who need some help with motivation to make exercise a regular part of their week or weekend might enjoy Amy Beausang’s essay. You can read it here.
