Kevin D. Steele, Ph.D’s Post

THE AFTERNOON IS THE BEST TIME TO EXERCISE FOR YOUR HEALTH Nieman D: H1 Connect Recommendation of [Galan-Lopez P, Casuso RA, Sports Med 2023 53(10:1951-1961)]. In H1 Connect, 20 Sep 2023;    10.3410/f.742782078.793600840 The best time of the day to exercise has been debated for decades. This meta-analysis of nine studies concluded that the afternoon is the best time to exercise if metabolic health is the primary goal. Circadian rhythms are engrained in each cell of the body, and these coincide with the earth’s 24-hour rotation cycle. The skeletal muscle system has an internal clock that is heavily influenced by exercise timing. There is increasing evidence that the skeletal muscle clock is optimally aligned by afternoon exercise with widespread effects that extend to other metabolic pathways. This review emphasized that studies support an augmented lowering effect of afternoon exercise on blood levels of triglycerides and glucose. There are other reasons that support exercising later versus earlier in the day. Studies show that athletic performance for both men and women peaks in the late afternoon (PMID: 33680499). A large study in the UK showed that exercising midday-afternoon compared to morning or evening was linked to lower risks for all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality (PMID: 36805455). In general, exercise timing is now regarded as a tool to reinforce positive changes on metabolic health, and the edge goes to the afternoon.