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Researchers at Brigham Young University found that people who work out in the morning experience decreased appetite throughout the day and increased physical activity.

Freshman James Smyth said he regularly works out in the morning and has found that there are benefits.

“After working out, my focus just sharpens, and I’m able to concentrate a lot better throughout the day,” Smyth said.

In the research, electrodes were used to measure the neural activity of 35 women while they observed pictures of food on two separate days. The researchers found that on the days the women exercised, their reaction to the food images declined and total physical activity for the rest of the day increased.

Some St. Thomas students and faculty agreed that working out decreases that “sluggish “ feeling as the day progresses. However, St. Thomas exercise science professor Timothy Mead said there is disagreement whether or not a particular time is best for exercise.

“No, you are going to burn the calories the same if you exercise in the morning, afternoon or evening. So it really doesn’t make a difference (what time you work out),” Mead said.

Stephanie Dodd can be reached at dodd0474@stthomas.edu.