Morning Exercise Cuts Disease Risk

Exercising between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. is associated with a reduced likelihood of developing conditions like clogged arteries, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 14,500 participants in a U.S. health research program, using Fitbit devices to track heart rate minute-by-minute over a year.

The study, set to be presented on March 29 at the American College of Cardiology meeting, found that morning exercisers had better cardiometabolic health. These associations held true regardless of the total amount of exercise a person completed throughout the day.

This marks the first large-scale study to examine exercise timing using long-term data from wearable devices. While the exact reasons for morning exercise's benefits remain unclear, potential factors include biological influences like hormones and sleep, or behavioral aspects such as improved energy levels and healthier food choices.