A new study published in Nature Aging suggests that “weekend warriors” who concentrate their weekly exercise into one or two days may gain comparable cognitive benefits to those who exercise regularly throughout the week. The research, which analyzed data from over 75,000 UK Biobank participants, found that individuals who completed more than 50% of their weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on just one or two days showed similar reductions in the risk of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke as those who spread their exercise evenly across the week.
Experts explain that physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, promoting the growth of new nerve fibers and blood vessels while reducing inflammation and plaque buildup. While daily movement is ideal, this study offers hope for those with busy schedules who struggle to exercise consistently during the workweek. For more details on the study and its implications, visit Medical News Today.