Whether you bounce out of bed in the morning or prefer to ease into the day, your body’s internal clock—called your circadian rhythm—may be doing more than just influencing your sleep.
A new study from the University of Florida Health suggests that the timing and regularity of your daily activity could play a key role in keeping you fit and healthy as you age.
The study, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, found that older adults who were active earlier in the day and followed a consistent daily routine had better heart and lung fitness, as well as more efficient walking patterns.
These are important signs of healthy aging and independence.
Dr. Karyn Esser, lead author of the study and professor at the UF College of Medicine, explained that the body’s biological rhythms affect not just when we sleep, but many other systems in the body—including metabolism, temperature, and hormone levels.
These natural rhythms are closely tied to the day-night cycle, and disruptions—like staying up too late, traveling across time zones, or working night shifts—can negatively impact health.
The study involved about 800 older adults, with an average age of 76, who were living independently. Each participant wore a wrist device for a week to track their daily movement, including everyday activities like walking, gardening, cleaning, or shopping.
Researchers then used medical tests to evaluate their heart and lung function.
They found that those with strong differences between their active and resting periods—meaning they were clearly active during the day and rested at night—had better fitness levels. People who had their most active periods earlier in the day and who followed a similar routine each day also had better results.
While this study doesn’t prove that waking up early and being active causes better health, it does suggest a strong link. More research is needed to determine whether changing activity timing can improve health over time, especially for younger adults.
Still, Dr. Esser believes these findings could lead to more personalized health advice.
Everyone has a “chronotype,” meaning a natural tendency to be more alert in the morning or evening. Some people are “larks,” early risers who thrive in the morning, while others are “owls,” who prefer nighttime hours. Dr. Esser, for the record, is a lark. But she has colleagues who are night owls—and not shy about it.
By understanding our own rhythms, we may one day be able to schedule exercise, medication, and even daily routines in ways that match our internal clocks and support better health as we age.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
Source: University of Florida.
