you know that incredible feeling you get after exercise well those endorphins don't just benefit you in the moment they have a lasting impact we all know we should exercise regularly it can reduce the risk of many diseases including heart disease and dementia it keeps us mentally well too but for many of us it's hard to find time to fit it into our busy lives new research finds that those who can't fit and exercise during their working week but instead squeeze it into their weekend experience similar health benefits as those who work out during the week
the researchers call this group Weekend Warriors the team looked at the data of over 75,000 people who wore activity trackers during the space of one week these were split into three groups inactive those who didn't hit the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week regularly active people who spread their exercise throughout the week and met the guidelines Weekend Warriors those who crammed more than 50% of their weekly exercise into one or two days these participants Health was monitored over 8 years to understand any subsequent health concerns when compared to those who were inactive The Weekend
Warriors had a 26% lower risk of developing dementia a 21% lower risk of stroke and the risk of depression and anxiety was 40% and 30 7% lower these reductions were similar for those who exercised often this Builds on work that has shown that those who exercise regularly can reduce the risk of depression by as much as 20% exercise also improves memory and cognition the more we move the better we think and the more productive we'll be and for those who can't exercise often at all even one session has a positive impact on our mood so
doing any exercise is clearly better than none brisk walk swim and even strenuous housework all count [Music]
