The debate over the best time to exercise—whether at dawn or as dusk falls—often boils down to personal preference. However, recent scientific studies provide a more substantial answer: the effectiveness of physical exercise for heart health depends heavily on a person's chronotype or natural biological clock.
A study involving 150 respondents aged 40 to 60 with cardiovascular disease risk revealed intriguing findings. Over 12 weeks, participants who engaged in physical activity—consisting of a 40-minute brisk walk—aligned with their biological clock showed significantly more optimal improvements in heart health compared to those who trained outside their body's natural timing.
Dr. Arsalan Tariq from the University of Lahore emphasized that the timing of exercise execution is just as crucial as the activity's intensity and duration. Synchronizing physical activity with the body's circadian rhythm is known to improve cardiovascular system efficiency, stabilize hormone production, and enhance overall sleep quality.
Echoing this, cardiologist Dr. Cheng-Han Chen highlighted the importance of maintaining circadian rhythm balance to prevent risks of hypertension and obesity. Exercise performed at the right time acts as a biological signal that reinforces internal rhythms, allowing the body to regulate heart rate and metabolism with greater precision.
Therefore, the key to maintaining heart health does not lie in choosing a specific hour deemed universally ideal, but rather in consistency tailored to the body's natural patterns. For those who feel more energetic in the morning, exercising at sunrise is the right choice, while night types shouldn't hesitate to stay active in the afternoon or evening to achieve maximum health benefits.
