Seasonal changes can make it difficult for people to exercise regularly: Researchers have found that women exercise more in the summer and much less in the winter.
Experts from the American College of Sports Medicine assessed levels of physical activity among 508 women over 18 months. Based on the pedometer readings, it was recorded that every day in winter a woman takes about 5000 steps, and in summer – an average of 7000 steps, almost 2000 more steps per day.
According to one of the study’s authors, Dr. Mark Newman, there has long been speculation that the natural seasons affect physical activity because people have fewer opportunities to exercise during the colder months and in bad weather. Studies have shown that women move less in winter, not only because of the cold weather, which makes them uncomfortable to be outside for a long time, but also because the short daylight hours increase drowsiness and decrease mood. Researchers believe that limiting physical activity in turn negatively affects health, increasing the likelihood of colds and feeling unwell.
To avoid such a vicious circle, experts recommend trying to move more, if not outdoors, then indoors, – for example, add 2-3 new exercises to the usual morning exercises.