What’s New What is Weekend Warrior and how effective is this form of exercise?

It can sometimes be difficult to organize the week to devote two or three days to physical exercise. Perhaps during the weekend there is a greater desire to carry out this activity. But will it be the same?

This is why, for some time now, Scientists are trying to determine whether physical exercise is condensed over one or two days, particularly on weekends. whose representatives are known as “weekend warriors”, has positive effects on the body.

In 2023, scientists from Cardiovascular Disease Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Cambridge and Massachusetts Universities analyzed nearly 90,000 individuals who provided data on concentrated physical activity over 1-2 days.

According to the study, weekend athletes also saw their risk of heart failure decrease by 38%, compared to 36% among regular exercisers. “The idea that you could fit it all into a weekend or two days a week was a little surprising.” “, told NBC he co-author of the study Dr Patrick Ellinor , acting chief of cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

In conclusion, the researcher stated that having 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week is the goal, “however you get there.”

Now, a new study shows that engaging in physical activity just once or twice during the weekend, a known exercise pattern as a “weekend warrior”, could reduce the risk of cognitive decline – which often precedes dementia – in the same way as more frequent exercise sessions

THE the investigation was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine And was led by the BrainLat of the School of Psychology of the Adolfo Ibáñez University.

According to the study, this type of exercise might also be more practical and feasible for people with busy schedules, the researchers say. It is crucial identify modifiable risk factors for dementia, since delaying its appearance by five years could reduce its prevalence by half. However, almost all the evidence so far comes from studies in high-income countries.

To fill this gap, the researchers used two datasets from the Mexico Prospective Survey: the first conducted between 1998 and 2004 and the second between 2015 and 2019. In total, 10,033 people, with an average age of 51, completed both surveys and their responses were included in the analysis.

During the first survey, participants were asked if they exercised or played sports, and if so, how many times per week and for how long (in minutes).

From the responses, four groups were derived: people who did not exercise; “weekend warriors” who practiced physical activity once or twice a week; regularly active people, who exercised three or more times per week; and a combined group including both weekend warriors and regularly active people.

Assessment of cognitive function in the second survey was performed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

A score of 22 or less out of 30 was used to define mild cognitive impairment (MCI). During an average follow-up period of 16 years, 2,400 cases of MCI were identified. The prevalence of MCI it was 26% among those who did not exercise; 14% among weekend warriors; and 18.5% among those who are regularly active.

After accounting for potentially influential factors such as age, education level, smoking, sleep, diet and alcohol consumption, “weekend warriors” were 25% less likely to develop MCI than those who did not exercise. The prevalence of MCI increased to 30% among those who did not exercise, 20% among weekend warriors and 22% among those who were regularly active, according to the research.

Compared to those who didn’t exercise, the paper claims, “weekend warriors” were 13 percent less likely to develop MCI, while those who were regularly active and those in the combined group were 12% less likely. The results were similar for men and women. Researchers estimate that, in theory, 13% of cases could be prevented if all middle-aged adults exercised at least once or twice a week.

This is an observational study, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn about causal factors. Additionally, several limitations to their results are acknowledged, including the possibility that participants were not entirely representative of middle-aged adults and the lack of objective measures of physical activity. However, Researchers explain several possible reasons for the protective effect of exercise on brain health.

For example, exercise can increase concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factors. [moléculas que apoyan el crecimiento y la supervivencia de las neuronas] and brain plasticity. Physical activity is also associated with greater brain volume, better executive function and greater memory says the study.

To our knowledge, the present study is the first prospective cohort study to show that the weekend warrior physical activity pattern and the regular physical activity pattern are associated with similar reductions in mild dementia risk, adds -he.

It further suggests that the findings have important implications for policy and practice, as the weekend physical activity model could be a more practical option for busy people in Latin America and elsewhere.