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According to a new study from Sweden, the effects of physical activity vary depending on the time chosen. The morning seems to be the most beneficial time for our metabolism. Even if the important thing is above all to move enough, whatever the time.
Choosing to do physical activity at the right time of day would increase fat metabolism. In any case, this is the conclusion of a study by the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark carried out on mice, with physiological reactions quite close to humans. When these rodents exercise in an early active phase, which corresponds to morning exercise in humans, they would increase their metabolism more than mice that exercised in an early resting phase. The results were published in the journal PNAS on February 13.
The effects of sport depend on the circadian rhythm
Physical activity at different times of the day can affect the body in different ways since biological processes depend on the circadian rhythms of cells. To determine how time of day affects fat burning, researchers studied fat tissue in mice after a high-intensity exercise session performed at two points in the daily cycle, an early active phase and a resting phase. early (corresponding respectively to a late morning and late evening session in men). The researchers studied various markers of fat metabolism and analyzed which genes were active in adipose tissue after exercise.
They found that physical activity in an early active phase increased the expression of genes involved in adipose tissue breakdown, thermogenesis (heat production) and mitochondria in adipose tissue, indicating a higher metabolic rate.
These effects were observed only in mice that exercised early in the active phase and were independent of food intake.
Morning, afternoon or evening? The important thing is to move enough
According to these conclusions, choosing a moment in the first part of your day is particularly interesting for burning the fat you want to get rid of: “Our results suggest that late morning exercise may be more effective than late evening exercise in terms of boosting metabolism and burning fat, and if so, they may prove useful for people Overweight”, says Professor Juleen. R. Zierath, author of the study in question. However, the question remains to be verified.
According to another Dutch study published in November, exercise on the contrary in the evening would be beneficial in the fight against prediabetes.
“The right timing appears to be important for the body’s energy balance and for improving the health benefits of exercise, but further studies are needed to draw reliable conclusions about the relevance of our findings to humans.” , says Professor Zierath.
Morning or evening, however, the most important thing is to exercise when possible to stay in shape. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, people between the ages of 18 and 64 should spend:
- At least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity endurance activity;
- Uu engage in at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity endurance activity;
- And 2 or more sessions per week of muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or higher intensity.