Is Working Out In Summer Actually Harder Than Winter?
The days are longer, the temps are rising, and the pressure is on to get your beach-rig in form in the next few weeks. But dayum, it’s hot! In fact, the walk from your airconed office to the car after work has now produced the amount of sweat usually reserved for a HIIT session back in June.
Surely heading to the pub for a cool refreshing beer is a better option than putting yourself through sauna-like conditions at the risk of severe dehydration. Maybe this is why they say winter bodies are carved in Winter…
Well, according to new research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the opposite could actually be true. The results demonstrate a link between higher vitamin D levels and improved cardiovascular fitness, meaning it’s more than likely your body will find it easier to up the fitness factor in summer.
And it all comes down to longer days and more time in the sun, our main source of vitamin D.
As reported by Men’s Health UK, data collected from 1995 participants aged 20-49 in the US National Health and Nutritional Survey (2001-2004), the study focused on oxygen consumption as a marker or respiratory fitness. In addition, the study also considered participants vitamin D levels.
The participants with the highest levels of vitamin D had significantly increased fitness levels as well, signifying a direct correlation with getting out in the sun (wearing sunscreen of course) and boosting your cardio gains.
You can mimic the physiological effects of summer however, yes, even in the dark and frigid depths of winter. Up your vitamin D intake through eating fatty fish, cheese and eggs.
