Do you like to go to the gym, go for a run or do physical activity with the intention of losing those “extra pounds”? We have good news for you, because a new study revealed what is the best time to exercise and oxidize more fat.
Physical activity at different times of the day can affect the body in different ways since biological processes depend on the circadian rhythms of cells and, according to a group of researchers from the Karolinska Institutet en Suecia and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark point out that exercising in the morning can further increase metabolism.
The researchers found that physical activity in an early active phase increased the expression of genes involved in the breakdown of adipose tissue, thermogenesis (heat production), and mitochondria in adipose tissue, indicating a higher metabolic rate. These effects were seen only in mice that exercised in the early active phase and They were independent of food intake.
“Our results suggest that late-morning exercise might be more effective than late-night exercise in terms of boost metabolism and the fat oxidation, and if this is the case, it could prove valuable for people who are overweight,” says Professor Juleen. R. Zierath of the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet.
The researchers studied the adipose tissue of mice after a bout of high-intensity exercise performed at two points in the daily cycle with a late-morning and late-afternoon session to analyze which genes were active in the adipose tissue after exercise. activity.
“Physical activity at the right time of day seems capable of increase metabolism of fats, at least in mice”, details the study published in the journal PNAS.
mice and humans share many basic physiological functions, and mice are a well-established model for human physiology and metabolism. However, there are also important differences, such as the fact that mice are nocturnal.
“Timing appears to be important for the body’s energy balance and for enhancing the health benefits of exercise, but further studies are needed to draw reliable conclusions about the relevance of our findings to humans,” Zierath said.