HEALTHY LIVING
Best Time of Day to Exercise
New research shows when a workout
benefits heart most. ::
it, such as diabetes, obesity, and depression, notes Crandall. For the new analysis, 800 men
and women with an average age of 76 were given wrist devices to monitor their activity. They also underwent
cardiopulmonary exercise testing to evaluate their cardiorespiratory health, which is a measurement of how well the heart and lungs work together. Walking efficiency was also evaluated. Participants’ exercise activity
was monitored for seven days. This included not only formal exercise, but also such activities as walking, gardening, shopping, and other daily movement. Key findings of the study include: Participants who were the most
BY CHARLOTTE LIBOV A
re you an early riser, or do you like to exercise at the end of the day? The answer to that
question may mean more than just your personal preference. A new study shows that when you choose to exercise can play a role in helping your heart stay healthier. “When I meet a new patient, I
always stress that daily activity is essential to good heart health, but their next question is always, ‘Dr. Crandall, does it make a difference when I exercise?’” top cardiologist Chauncey Crandall, M.D., tells Newsmax magazine. “Now we have a study that answers
that question.” Researchers at the University
of Florida in Gainesville, in the study sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), found that the timing and the consistency of your exercise may be associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency, two indicators of healthy aging. For the study, led by Karyn
Esser, Ph.D., professor and chair of 86 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | SEPTEMBER 2025
the department of physiology and aging at the University of Florida, researchers examined the role that our circadian rhythm, known also as our biological clock, plays in relation to exercise and health benefits. “Over the years, we’ve learned
that our body’s circadian rhythm has a big impact on our health, so doing a study on this biological mechanism makes a great deal of sense,” says Crandall, director of preventive medicine at the Palm Beach Cardiology Center in Florida. The term “circadian rhythm” refers
to our body’s natural 24-hour cycle that regulates various physiological and behavioral processes. It governs the sleep-wake cycle,
hormone release, appetite, digestion, and body temperature. It also influences energy levels, mood, and brain function. Past studies found that disturbing this 24-hour sleep-wake cycle can also disrupt a person’s cognitive focus and contribute to several health problems, including heart disease, as well as risk factors for
active compared to resting intervals experienced the most health benefits. Exercising in the earlier part of
the day was associated with better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency. People who exercised consistently
had better results than those with irregular activity patterns. Those who performed their activity
at the same time of the day also had the best results. Crandall noted that more research
on this topic is needed. “We need to find out whether adjusting activity timing can lead to even better improvements, and also whether these findings extend to younger people as well.” But the results back what Crandall
has long believed: “Exercise in the morning is better because your body responds to light and you are more awake, and also exercising at the same time each day is best, because our bodies crave predictability.” Crandall notes that it
is his practice to walk for an hour every day in the morning after he wakes up. And he hopes his patients follow his example.
CRANDALL
CLOCKS/TANYAJOY©ISTOCK
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