Two researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Loyola University, Pablo Galán and Rafael Casuso, have carried out a scientific study to compare the response of the human metabolism when doing sports in the morning and in the afternoon, resulting in "almost Performing exercise in the afternoon reduces the concentration of triglycerides and blood glucose to a greater extent.
As detailed by Loyola University in a press release, the work has shown that training carried out in the morning does not provide greater metabolic benefits than when doing sports in the afternoon. All of this can be explained from the circadian rhythms that the human body experiences, that is, our body repeats processes cyclically throughout the days that involve physical and metabolic changes.
Numerous studies had already compared training in the afternoon and in the morning and had shown, for example, that the muscles had greater performance in the afternoon and in addition, other studies have suggested a greater metabolic response to physical activities done in the evening. But until now, no study had analyzed clinical trials to study glycemic and blood lipid control that could demonstrate that afternoon training is more effective than morning training.
The work, titled 'Metabolic Adaptations to Morning Versus Afternoon Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis' and published in the journal Sports Medicine, carried out a statistical analysis of scientific publications that showed that afternoon exercise was more effective in reducing levels. of triglycerides compared to training in the morning. Additionally, exercise in the afternoon also showed a strong tendency to lower fasting blood glucose levels to a greater extent than the same activity in the morning.
To address the analysis, the researchers conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases to select studies that compared metabolic adaptations between morning training and afternoon training, lasting more than two weeks. Nine studies were identified involving eleven different populations, with a total of 450 participants.
Through this statistical analysis of previously published studies called meta-analysis, using various supported study methods, scientists evaluated the results of various metabolic markers, including fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol total, low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins.
Triglycerides were the most relevant finding in this study, which is very important data for the prevention of diseases related to the coronary arteries. The reduction of obesity and hypertension and the benefits of sports at the end of the day to avoid sleep interruptions are other conclusions of the study that could influence medical prescriptions for the ideal time to perform physical exercise.
In any case, it is necessary to continue delving deeper into the study of different exercise modalities and populations in order to refine the prescription of sports to improve health.
The professors and researchers of the degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences at Loyola University have already carried out previous related studies and will continue in this direction. Pablo Galán was awarded for his thesis in which he analyzed the lifestyles and healthy habits of more than 1,700 students aged 13 to 16 from Spain, Iceland and Estonia. For his part, Rafael Casuso has more than 40 publications in the field of physical exercise, muscle function, nutrition and sports performance.
