US researchers tracked 350,000 people over 10 years to see how well so-called weekend warriors fared.

The findings, in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, suggest the type and total amount of exercise count, rather than how many sessions.

At least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise is recommended.

Going for a brisk walk, a light effort cycle on a bike or playing doubles in tennis would count towards this.

Or you could do 75 minutes of vigorous activity - something like running, swimming or playing a game of football - say health experts in guidance published by the NHS.

Many of the participants in the US study clocked up this amount in a week. But some crammed it into one or two sessions rather than spacing it out.

Those who reached their recommended level of activity, whether during the week or the weekend, had lower a death risk than those who did less than the recommend amount.

US researchers tracked 350,000 people over 10 years to see how well so-called weekend warriors fared.

The findings, in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, suggest the type and total amount of exercise count, rather than how many sessions.

At least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise is recommended.

Going for a brisk walk, a light effort cycle on a bike or playing doubles in tennis would count towards this.

Or you could do 75 minutes of vigorous activity - something like running, swimming or playing a game of football - say health experts in guidance published by the NHS.

Many of the participants in the US study clocked up this amount in a week. But some crammed it into one or two sessions rather than spacing it out.

Those who reached their recommended level of activity, whether during the week or the weekend, had lower a death risk than those who did less than the recommend amount.