Frontiers in Physiology · Nov 9, 2026
Association of the Weekend Warrior Exercise Pattern with All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer-Specific Mortality in Patients with Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
By Hanhan Yu, Yong He, Ying Chen et al.
Background The weekend warrior physical activity pattern may provide a practical alternative for individuals unable to exercise regularly throughout the week. However, its association with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic diseases remains uncertain. Objective To evaluate the association of the weekend warrior physical activity pattern with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease-specific mortality, cancer-specific mortality, and incident cardiovascular events among individuals with chronic diseases. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from 18 April 2016 to 18 April 2026. Prospective cohort studies of adults with chronic diseases reporting adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for relevant outcomes were included. Pooled estimates were calculated using fixed-and random-effects models, with subgroup analyses by disease type, sex, body mass index, and age. Results Eighteen prospective cohort studies were included. Compared with inactive individuals, the weekend warrior pattern was associated with lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio=0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.63–0.74, P< 0.00001), cardiovascular disease-specific mortality (hazard ratio=0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.55–0.69, P< 0.00001), and incident cardiovascular events (hazard ratio=0.74, 95% confidence interval: 0.69–0.78, P< 0.00001). Preliminary evidence from three cohorts also suggested an association with lower cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio=0.79, 95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.93, P=0.005). Conclusions The weekend warrior physical activity pattern was associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease-specific mortality and fewer incident cardiovascular events among patients with chronic diseases. Preliminary findings also suggest a possible association with lower cancer-specific mortality, although the evidence remains limited.