Features of a weekend warrior:
(1) The person is an adult who is typically working at a full-time job with low physical demands.
(2) The majority of physical activity for the week is compressed into 1 or 2 days.
(3) Most of the physical activity on these days is of moderate intensity.
(4) The time spent on moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity totals >= 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per week.
The authors found that only a small percent of adults (1-3%) meet the criteria for a weekend warrior, mainly because they required that the person meet the recommended weekly activity level (albeit compressed into 1-2 days). A person who might view him/herself as a weekend warrior may not attain this level of activity every weekend.
While physical activity is to be commended, a weekend warrior may:
(1) be at increased risk for injury, especially if the activity is novel or overdone.
(2) develop habits during much of the week that can lead to cardiovascular disease, which may become evident on sudden exertion.
(3) may benefit from periods of physical activity interspersed during the rest of the week.
