What is the Best Time for Exercise? New Scientific Review Reveals

A recent comprehensive scientific review, published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, offers compelling insights into the optimal timing for physical activity, suggesting that 'when' we exercise might be as crucial as 'how much.' This research, drawing from numerous studies, highlights that our cells, hormones, and genes respond differently depending on whether we engage in exercise in the morning or the afternoon.

The findings are particularly significant for the estimated one million people in Greece living with Type 2 diabetes. The review indicates that afternoon exercise demonstrated a marked improvement in glycemic control, whereas morning workouts sometimes led to increased blood sugar levels and reduced insulin sensitivity. This challenges conventional wisdom and suggests a more nuanced approach to exercise prescription, especially for populations with metabolic disorders.

As exercise scientist Trine Moholdt from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology notes, there is growing evidence that exercising later in the day can offer additional benefits. This is partly linked to exercise's role as a powerful 'time-giver' for our circadian rhythms – the internal biological clocks that govern sleep, eating, and activity patterns. For individuals with Type 2 diabetes, whose rhythms are often disrupted, aligning exercise with these internal clocks could be key.

Greek physiologists, like Professor Harriët Henriksson from the Karolinska Institute, explain the morning 'dawn phenomenon' – a natural cortisol rise that helps us wake but can also elevate blood sugar. The review's findings, showing higher glucose levels post-morning exercise in Type 2 diabetics, underscore this effect. From a Greek perspective, understanding these biological nuances is vital, as it empowers individuals, particularly those managing chronic conditions, to optimize their health routines based on scientific evidence rather than assumption. This research provides a valuable tool for public health guidance, encouraging personalized exercise strategies.

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There is increasingly more evidence that exercising later in the day can offer additional benefits.