Exercise Timing for Older Adults

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Research shows connection between training timing, consistency and positive results.

For older adults, regular morning physical activity may lead to better heart-lung function and walking efficiency, according to a study of about 800 older adults with an average age of 76, reported in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. “While we’ve long known that being active supports healthy aging, this study reveals that when you’re active may also matter,” says study author Karyn Esser, PhD, principal investigator and professor of the department of physiology and aging at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. Data analysis showed that having the physical activity occur at the same time each day was also associated with better outcomes.

Physical activities can include all types of daily movement. For example, walking, gardening, cleaning or shopping or exercise programs. The study is associative and does not prove cause and effect. “Each of us has a chronotype, a biological tendency to be more alert in the morning or evening, and that variation may play a significant role in our health,” says Esser. “We’re moving toward a future where understanding and respecting our individual rhythms can help guide medical care and daily living.”