Early Bird Habits and Lower ALS Risk: A New Study

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 25, 2026 – A preliminary study presented today at the American Academy of Neurology’s 78th Annual Meeting suggests a link between daily habits and the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Researchers found that individuals who identify as “early birds” and maintain higher levels of physical activity may have a lower risk of the debilitating neurodegenerative disease.

Understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive condition affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Mayo Clinic explains that as these cells deteriorate, individuals gradually lose the ability to control muscle movement, ultimately leading to paralysis and, typically, death within two to five years of diagnosis. Approximately 31,000 Americans are impacted by the disease, with around 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

The Study: Early Birds and Physical Activity

The research, involving over 500,000 participants with an average age of 57, followed individuals for a period of 14 years. During this time, 675 participants (0.14% of the total group) were diagnosed with ALS. Participants completed questionnaires regarding their sleep habits and physical activity levels.

Chronotype and ALS Risk

Researchers categorized participants based on their chronotype – a person’s natural inclination toward being a morning person or a night owl. Being an “early bird” was associated with a 20% reduced risk of ALS compared to being a “night owl.” Of the 277,620 participants classified as early birds, 350 developed ALS, while 237 of the 166,361 night owls developed the disease.

Sleep Duration and ALS Risk

The study as well indicated that those who consistently slept between six and eight hours per night had a lower risk of ALS compared to those who slept less or more.

Physical Activity and ALS Risk

Greater physical activity was also linked to a reduced risk. Participants engaging in 600 MET-minutes or more of physical activity per week demonstrated a 26% lower risk of ALS. METs (metabolic equivalents) quantify energy expenditure, with vigorous activities like running assigned higher values (8.0 METs) and lower-intensity activities like walking assigned lower values (3.3 METs). News-USA Today reports that the average physical activity level for participants was 2,645 METs-minutes per week.

Important Considerations

Study author Hongfu Li, MD, PhD, of Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, emphasized that the study demonstrates an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship. PRNewswire notes that 95% of the study participants were white, suggesting the results may not be generalizable to other populations.

Looking Ahead

“While more research is needed to further explore these associations, promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors may represent a potential strategy for reducing the risk of ALS,” said Li. This preliminary research opens new avenues for investigating preventative strategies against this currently incurable disease. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms connecting lifestyle factors to ALS risk.

Learn more about ALS at Brain & Life®, from the American Academy of Neurology.