Finding time to exercise is hard enough for most. A study now shows that when you exercise also matters — men and women get their best results at different times of the day.
There is hardly a wrong time to do sports – exercise almost always has a positive effect on health, experts agree. However, factors such as lack of time or lack of motivation mean that many people are looking for ways to exercise as efficiently as possible. You want to get the best results with relatively little effort. Scientists from the USA have therefore dealt with the question of what time of day it is best for men and women to exercise.
In fact, the answer differs based on gender. The study found that women burn more fat when they do a workout early in the morning. In men, on the other hand, the effect is strongest in the evening. The previous findings in this area were based primarily on research with men, the scientists explained. For their study, they had 30 men and 26 women between the ages of 25 and 55 complete various physical exercises for twelve weeks.
Women train more effectively in the morning, men in the evening
One group completed a one-hour program before 8:30 a.m. The other group was only in the evening between 6 and 8 p.m., with the same exercises. All participants in the study also received the same diet. Blood pressure and body fat percentage as well as other parameters such as strength and flexibility were examined. Even if all participants improved in all areas, there were differences.
For women, Paul Arcerio, a professor at Skidmore College in New York and leader of the study, recommends exercising in the morning if you want to lose weight and lower your blood pressure. According to the study, if the goal is to build strength and muscle, training in the evening is more effective. For men, the results in the morning and in the evening differed less, according to Arcerio. But sport in the evening has shown particularly good effects on the metabolism, heart health and emotional state in men.
There is no wrong time to exercise
The scientists have not yet been able to finally clarify why men and women differ so much in these points. More research needs to be done in this area, he said. In general, Paul Arcerio – regardless of the findings of the current study – also makes it clear: “The best time for sport is always when you are ready for it yourself and can integrate it into your schedule.” If the body also responds well to it – all the better.
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Source: Stern
