A study led by Harvard researchers found that it is the total amount of weekly exercise, not how it is distributed across the week, that shields the heart from disease.

Analysing activity data from almost 90 000 adults, the researchers reported that people who packed all their exercise into one or two intensive: “weekend warrior” sessions saw heart health benefits equal to those who worked out more regularly throughout the week.

Across the whole study, about 42% were weekend warriors who did most of their weekly exercise in one or two days, while roughly 24% spread activity over three to seven days. The remaining participants did not meet the 150 minutes a week target.

After about six years, both qualifying groups experienced similar reductions in their risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Injury rates were also comparable, suggesting that the so-called: “weekend warrior” approach is not as hazardous as once believed.

Experts involved in the research stress that any exercise counts. Short bouts of activity, such as walking or doing jumping jacks for a few minutes each hour, can also help control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, even among those who fall short of official guidelines.