Relationship of Consistency in Timing of Exercise Performance and Exercise Levels Among Successful Weight Loss Maintainers

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether consistency in time of day that moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) is performed relates to MVPA levels among successful weight loss maintainers in the National Weight Control Registry. Methods Participants (n = 375) reporting MVPA on >= 2 d/wk completed measures of temporal consistency in physical activity (PA) (> 50% of MVPA sessions per week occurring during the same time window: early/late morning, afternoon, or evening), PA levels, PA automaticity, and consistency in cues underlying PA habit formation (e.g., location). Results Most (68.0%) participants reported temporally consistent MVPA. These individuals reported higher MVPA frequency (4.8 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.4 +/- 1.5 d/wk; P = 0.007) and duration (median [IQR]: 350.0 [200.0-510.0] vs. 285.0 [140.0-460.0] min/wk; P = 0.03), and they were more likely to achieve the national MVPA guideline (>= 150 min/wk) than temporally inconsistent exercisers (86.3% vs. 74.2%, P = 0.004). Among temporally consistent exercisers, 47.8% were early-morning exercisers; MVPA levels did not differ by time of day of routine MVPA performance (P > 0.05). Greater automaticity and consistency in several cues were related to greater MVPA among all participants. Conclusions Most participants reported consistent timing of MVPA. Temporal consistency was associated with greater MVPA, regardless of the specific time of day of routine MVPA performance. Consistency in exercise timing and other cues might help explain characteristic high PA levels among successful maintainers.