Sustaining Regular Exercise During Weight Loss Maintenance: The Role of Consistent Exercise Timing

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Exercise physiology
• Weight management

Background:

• Consistent exercise timing is associated with greater physical activity in weight loss maintainers.
• This study investigates exercise timing's impact on physical activity levels and habit strength over one year.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between exercise timing consistency and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
• To examine the association between exercise timing, habit strength (automaticity), and pattern stability over one year.

Main Methods:

• 709 participants from the National Weight Control Registry completed questionnaires at baseline and 1-year follow-up.
• Exercise timing, MVPA, and exercise automaticity were assessed.
• Participants were categorized as temporally consistent exercisers if >50% of weekly sessions occurred within a specific time window.

Main Results:

• Consistent exercise timing at baseline predicted greater MVPA over time.
• Early morning exercise and higher exercise automaticity at baseline predicted stable exercise patterns.
• Consistent exercise, especially in the early morning, was linked to greater exercise automaticity.

Conclusions:

• Consistent exercise timing may enhance MVPA accrual in weight loss maintainers.
• Stable, early morning exercise routines are strongly associated with exercise automaticity and habit stability.