Exercise risks rise during September return to fitness

Many individuals face the urge to abruptly increase exercise intensity or duration in September to compensate for reduced physical activity during the summer holidays. This sudden shift in training volume poses health risks.

According to the 2024/25 Sports Habits Survey in Spain, conducted by the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports alongside the Higher Sports Council, only 12.9% of sports practitioners increase their activity during vacations. In contrast, 35.5% train more frequently during working periods. While the ‘weekend warrior’ pattern—concentrating activity into one or two sessions per week—can provide cardiovascular benefits similar to daily exercise, the primary danger lies in the sudden attempt to reclaim lost fitness levels through excessive intensity.