To be in good health and stay in shape, adopting a balanced diet and practicing regular physical activity is essential. As a reminder, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), adults aged 18 to 64 are advised to practice at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate intensity endurance activity or to practice at least 75 to 150 minutes of sustained intensity endurance activity. It can also be a combination of these two activities, to be practiced “all week long”, specifies the WHO. In addition, it is also recommended to practice muscle strengthening activities of moderate or higher intensity twice a week or more.
However, some people don’t have enough time to train so regularly. This is why they compensate for the weekend, with very complete sessions. Thus, in a new study published in review Obesityresearchers were interested in the effects of the frequency of physical activity on the loss of abdominal and general adiposity mass.
Regular active ingredients vs. less regular active ingredients: what is the best method for losing weight?
To carry out their study, the researchers examined data from more than 9,600 people aged 20 to 59 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2018. They assessed adiposity abdominal and general, which corresponds to an accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous cellular tissue, of all volunteers. Physical activity levels were also collected using a global physical activity questionnaire. They were then classified into three categories: inactive, regularly active and “weekend warriors”. This last category brought together participants who compensate for their lack of activity during the week during the weekend. After analysis, the results showed that 5,580 participants were inactive, 3,277 practiced regular physical activity and 772 had adopted the so-called “weekend warrior” model. Both the active and “weekend warrior” groups had lower abdominal adiposity, waist circumference, body fat and body mass index (BMI) than the inactive group.
So, while it is better to engage in physical activity at a more regular frequency to lose weight, “weekend warriors” who condense their physical activity into one or two days can also lose weight, provided that they they respect the recommendations given by the WHO. According to Lihua Zhang, scientist and lead author of the study, “the ‘weekend warrior’ model is worth encouraging in people who cannot meet the recommended frequency.” Indeed, he believes that this technique offers them an alternative to stay in shape. According to professor of clinical medicine Beverly Tchang, who spoke in a press release, “This study reaffirms the old adage about physical activity and health that any activity is better than no activity.”
Sources:
- The associations of “weekend warrior” and regularly active physical activity with abdominal and general adiposity in US adults – Obesity – February 20, 2024
- Whether you exercise regularly or one-to-two days a week, weight loss is possible, shows study – Medical Xpress – February 20, 2024
- Physical activity – World Health Organization