Time of the day of exercise impact on cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

R Sevilla-Lorente, A Carneiro-Barrera, P Molina-Garcia, J R Ruiz, F J Amaro-Gahete

Journal: Journal of science and medicine in sport 2023;26(3):169-179

PMID: 36973109

Plain Language Summary

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In humans, shifted sleep patterns seem to interfere with several metabolic pathways. Shift work, short sleep duration, exposure to artificial light, inadequate eating time window, and lack of physical activity, are some characteristics of the modern lifestyle that contributes to the occurrence and worsening of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to analyse the time of the day of exercise-induced effects on CVD risk factors in adults. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of twenty-two studies. Results showed that exercise produces an acute reduction of systolic blood pressure independently of the time of the day at which it is performed. Similarly, exercise produces an acute increase in blood glucose independently of the time of the day. Authors concluded that further research is needed to establish whether there is a diurnal variation of exercise on cardiovascular health and how it is related to health status, sex, or the type of exercise.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of a single bout of morning vs. evening exercise on cardiovascular risk factors in adults.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A systematic search of studies was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science from inception to June 2022. Selected studies accomplished the following criteria: crossover design, acute effect of exercise, blood pressure, blood glucose, and/or blood lipids as the study's endpoint, a washout period of at least 24 h, and adults. Meta-analysis was performed by analyzing: 1) separated effect of morning and evening exercise (pre vs. post); and 2) comparison between morning and evening exercise.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies were included for systolic and diastolic blood pressure and 10 studies for blood glucose. Meta-analysis revealed no significant difference between morning vs. evening exercise for systolic blood pressure (g ∆ = 0.02), diastolic blood pressure (g ∆ = 0.01), or blood glucose (g ∆ = 0.15). Analysis of moderator variables (age, BMI, sex, health status, intensity and duration of exercise, and hour within the morning or evening) showed no significant morning vs. evening effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we found no influence of the time of the day on the acute effect of exercise on blood pressure neither on blood glucose.

Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Address: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Spain.; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Science, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Spain.; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Science, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.Granada, Spain; CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.

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