Soldiers cite 'Medic!' as a top hearing priority
Researchers identified mission-critical auditory tasks, prioritizing sounds like 'Medic!', grid references and commands. A new hearing test will assess auditory fitness-for-duty in combat situations.
Search results for “Fitness”
1,000+ results for "Fitness"
The nature of nurture is all about your mother, study says
A new study from the University of Guelph found that maternal genetic effects play a significant role in determining the fitness of squirrel offspring. Genetically gifted mothers tend to give birth earlier, have more successful pups, and exhibit other traits that contribute to their offspring's success.
Fitness level associated with lower risk of some cancers, death in men
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that high fitness levels in midlife were associated with a lower risk of lung and colorectal cancer. High fitness also reduced the risk of death from these cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease death among men diagnosed with cancer.
Is blood really thicker than water?
Researcher David Queller and colleagues tested an alternative mathematical model to inclusive fitness theory, finding it equivalent in predictions. The model's assertions were disputed, with Queller arguing that varying relatedness undermines the Harvard authors' claims about eusociality.
Researchers develop tool to understand how the gut microbiome works
A new method called TFUMseq enables researchers to study the functions of hard-to-grow bacteria that contribute to the gut microbiome. The tool allows for the identification of genes that enhance microbial fitness and provides insights into how bacteria colonize living organisms.
Improving your fitness could improve your spouse's fitness
New research suggests that counseling couples about physical activity can improve the health of both spouses. When a wife meets recommended exercise levels, her husband is 70% more likely to meet those levels at subsequent visits.
Better midlife fitness may slow brain aging
Research found that individuals with lower fitness levels had smaller brain tissue volumes and poorer cognitive function later in life. Regular physical exercise may help slow down brain aging by reducing blood pressure fluctuations and vascular damage.
Can exercise training prevent premature death in elderly?
A new study suggests that exercise training can reduce the risk of premature death in elderly individuals. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that high-intensity training and moderate intensity training both showed promising results in improving fitness levels and reducing mortality rates.
Exercise benefits when young could be undermined in people unable to cope with stress
Researchers found that low stress resilience in adolescence increases heart disease risk, even with good physical fitness. The study of 237,980 men suggests that promoting both exercise and stress management could help prevent heart disease.
Treadmill performance predicts mortality
A new formula, the FIT Treadmill Score, estimates one's 10-year risk of dying by analyzing treadmill exercise performance. Fitness level, peak heart rate, and metabolic equivalents are key indicators of death risk.
Loyola receives grant to develop health improvement program for low-income minorities
Loyola Medicine researchers will develop and test a Family-based Lifestyle Intervention Program (FLIP) for African American and Hispanic/Latino families. The program aims to promote healthy lifestyles, navigate the healthcare system, and reduce health disparities.
You can be a coward or a fighter -- just pick one and stick with it, says study
Researchers found that aphids which consistently display risk-averse or risk-prone behavior tend to thrive better than those that exhibit mixed strategies, especially when faced with predators. The study suggests that committing to a consistent behavioral type can be key to achieving overall fitness and reproductive success.
Who's going to win? The answer could change by the hour
A study published in Current Biology found that athletes' performance peaks at different times of day based on their natural sleep patterns. The researchers used a novel test to characterize over 120 athletes' circadian phenotypes and discovered a significant variation in individual performance throughout the day.
Dartmouth investigators conduct systematic testing of deimmunized biotherapeutic agents
The Dartmouth team created a systematic testing platform to analyze deimmunized protein design space. Their analysis revealed that experimentally measured molecular fitness mapped closely onto the computational design space for 18 deimmunized drug candidates, demonstrating potential to predict and design tradeoffs between immunogenicit...
New computation method helps identify functional DNA
A new computational method can identify positions in the human genome that play a role in cell function, revealing insights into genetic regulation and potential applications in personalized medicine. The study found that 4.2 to 7.5 percent of nucleotides in the human genome have influenced fitness since humans diverged from chimpanzees.
Walking groups come out trumps for boosting overall health without side effects
Joining a walking group improves lung power, physical functioning, and general fitness, with few side effects, according to an analysis of available evidence published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study found wide-ranging benefits for adults with various long-term conditions.
Can your smartphone help you exercise?
A new study found that only 39 out of 93 possible behavior change techniques were used in top-ranked fitness apps, with social support and feedback being the most common. The study suggests that users should consider their individual needs when selecting an app to increase physical activity.
Study finds cardiorespiratory fitness improves memory among older adults
A recent study published in Journal of Gerontology reveals that cardiorespiratory fitness has a positive impact on long-term memory in older adults. The research found that participants with higher levels of physical fitness performed better on cognitive tasks and showed improved executive function.
Time management skills keep animals primed for survival
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that animals can make efficient decisions by controlling the amount of effort invested within each unit of time, rather than just speed and accuracy. This ability allows them to adapt to changing environments and gain a fitness advantage over those with limited flexibility.
High fitness level reduces chance of developing hypertension
According to new research, people with high fitness levels are less likely to develop hypertension. The study found that those who reached 12 METs or more during the stress test had a 20 percent lower risk of developing hypertension compared to those reaching less than six METs.
Health coaching paired with gym membership works best for obese people with mental illness
A health promotion program combining gym membership with trained health coaches significantly improves fitness and weight loss in people with serious mental illness. The In SHAPE program, a 12-month program, showed more than half of participants achieving clinically significant reductions in cardiovascular risk.
SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateDec 17, 2014
'How much--and when?' Life-history trade-offs a factor in whole-organism performance
Whole-organism performance capacities are subject to life-history trade-offs with other key determinants of fitness. This approach offers significant promise for understanding ecology and evolution of performance traits.
The innate immune system condemns weak cells to their death
Researchers demonstrate that the innate immune system recognizes weaker cells and activates programmed cell death, eliminating them in a process called cell competition. This phenomenon has implications for cancer research and early disease detection.
Health boost for fitness centers
Millions die each year from obesity-related issues, with Australia projected to be third fattest nation by 2020. Fitness facilities can mitigate risks by implementing pre-activity screening, automated defibrillators, regular inspections, and staff training.
SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management·DateDec 2, 2014
Clinical trial demonstrates additive effect of exercise following gastric bypass
A new study reveals that exercise following gastric bypass surgery provides additional benefits for obese patients, including improved insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular fitness. This clinical trial supports the inclusion of an exercise program after bariatric surgery to enhance overall health outcomes.
Study demonstrates that exercise following bariatric surgery provides health benefits
Researchers found that exercise after bariatric surgery improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in patients who participate in an exercise program. Cardiovascular fitness also improves, providing additional health benefits beyond weight loss.
Study links sleep apnea to impaired exercise capacity
A new study reveals that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with lower predicted peak oxygen uptake, a measure of aerobic physical fitness, in patients. Sleep apnea severity alone explained 16.1 percent of this variability, indicating a strong independent relationship between the two.
Endangered species success: Idaho salmon regaining fitness advantage
Naturally spawned juvenile sockeye are migrating to the ocean and returning as adults at a much higher rate than others released from hatcheries. The analysis indicates that the program to save the species has succeeded in rebuilding populations in the wild, with the species regaining fitness.
Endangered Idaho salmon regaining fitness advantage
Biologists believe the increased return rate of naturally spawned sockeye is high enough for the species to eventually sustain itself in the wild. Naturally spawned fish are returning at rates up to three times higher than those released from hatcheries.
Sleep apnea linked to poor aerobic fitness
People with moderate to severe sleep apnea have a reduced aerobic fitness, even compared to those of similar body mass indices. The study found that sleep apnea patients had a lower peak oxygen uptake during aerobic activity than controls.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateNov 24, 2014
Moffitt researchers use evolutionary principles to model cancer mutations
Researchers used computational modeling to examine the role of genetic mutations in cancer growth, finding that genes never observed in cancers may be the best targets for therapy. Targeting these 'never mutations' in combination with therapies targeting driver genes was found to be highly effective.
SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2014
Why lizards have bird breath
Scientists at the University of Utah have found that iguanas, not known for high-capacity aerobic fitness, have bird-like breathing patterns in their lungs. This discovery bolsters the case that unidirectional airflow evolved long before the first birds, suggesting a common ancestor among lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and dinosaurs.
Exercise provides clear benefits for patients with chronic kidney disease
Exercise training slows kidney function decline and improves cardio-respiratory fitness in patients with progressive stages 3–4 CKD. A personalized, low-intensity home exercise program also improves physical performance in dialysis patients.
Scientists uncover mechanism that controls the fitness of cells, impacting aging and disease
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found a novel looping mechanism involving DNA end caps that determines gene regulation, contributing to aging and disease. The study reveals how telomere length affects gene expression patterns, potentially influencing the onset of disease and optimizing fitness with age.
Commuting by bicycle: Why the Irish aren't like the Dutch -- yet
A study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing reveals that Irish citizens' perceptions of biking as inconvenient, dangerous and unsuitable for wet climates hinder adoption. However, benefits like saving time and improving physical fitness are cited by supporters.
Tell-tales of war: Traditional stories highlight how ancient women survived
Traditional stories from around the world reveal five 'fitness costs' of warfare for women, including being killed, captured, or having offspring killed. These stories suggest that ancestral women developed tactics to increase their survival chances, such as manipulating male behavior and using defensive strategies.
Sport in old age can stimulate brain fitness, but effect decreases with advancing age
Research found that physical exercise improves brain perfusion and visual memory in younger adults, but this effect decreases with age. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to examine the brains of 40 healthy volunteers aged 60-77, with half receiving treadmill exercise for 3 months.
SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateOct 20, 2014
Using test tube experiments to study how bacterial species evolve antibiotic resistance
Researchers used test tube experiments to measure growth rates and DNA mutations of 8 different Pseudomonas bacteria species. They found that populations within the same strain evolved in parallel despite genetic differences.
SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateOct 14, 2014
After-school exercise program enhances cognition in 7-, 8- and 9-year-olds
A nine-month study found that children who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity after school showed substantial improvements in attention, distraction avoidance, and cognitive flexibility. Brain imaging revealed widespread changes in brain function related to attention allocation and processing speed.
Children with autism are more sedentary than their peers, new OSU study shows
A new OSU study found that children with autism are more sedentary than their typically-developing peers, averaging 50 minutes less a day of moderate physical activity and 70 minutes more each day sitting. Despite this, they perform similarly on fitness assessments such as body mass index, aerobic fitness levels, and flexibility.
Cardiorespiratory fitness is often misdiagnosed
Researchers from University of Eastern Finland propose a new method for measuring cardiorespiratory fitness by scaling maximal oxygen uptake and maximal workload by lean mass. This approach can avoid confounding effects of body adiposity, leading to more accurate assessments of an individual's functional capacity.
SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalClinical Physiology and Functional Imaging·DateSep 24, 2014
Actions on climate change bring better health, study says
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that reducing fossil fuel consumption can lead to cleaner air, increased physical fitness, and improved public health. The analysis highlights opportunities for co-benefits between climate change mitigation and human health.
Do wearable lifestyle activity monitors really work?
Researchers analyze 13 wearable activity monitors to determine their effectiveness in promoting healthy behaviors. While many apps are in line with health community recommendations, some lack key features such as action planning and problem-solving tools.
SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateSep 16, 2014
Cardiorespiratory fitness can delay male, age-associated blood pressure hikes
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels can delay the natural increase of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with age. Men with high fitness levels experience a later onset of prehypertension, with systolic blood pressure increasing around age 54 and diastolic blood ...
SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 15, 2014
Lifetime of fitness: A fountain of youth for bone and joint health?
Research suggests that comprehensive fitness and nutrition regimens can minimize bone and joint health decline and maintain overall physical health in seniors. The study recommends individualized exercise programs with resistance, endurance, flexibility, and balance training, as well as proper nutrition to optimize performance.
SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateAug 27, 2014
Train your heart to protect your mind
A new study published in Neurobiology of Aging found that exercising improves cardiovascular strength, which may protect against cognitive impairment as we age. The researchers tested 31 young people and 54 older adults, finding that those with better aortic elasticity and aerobic fitness performed better on cognitive tests.
Playing hunger games: Are gamified health apps putting odds in your favor?
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers suggests that gamification in health and fitness apps may not lead to sustainable behavior change. The study analyzed over 2,000 apps and found that most popular apps feature gamification as a key motivator, but this approach may be limited and demotivating in the long run.
Physically fit kids have beefier brain white matter than their less-fit peers
A new study found that physically fit children have more fibrous and compact white-matter tracts in the brain, linked to faster nerve activity. The researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to analyze water diffusion into tissues, revealing significant fitness-related differences in brain integrity.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateAug 19, 2014
Physical fitness can help prevent young adolescents' depression, study finds
Research suggests that physically fit sixth-grade girls are less likely to report feeling depressed when they reach seventh grade. Fitness programs can help prevent depression in middle-schoolers, but schools should also use other interventions like therapy.
Genetic study shows major impact of climate change on Antarctic fur seals
A genetic study reveals that climate change has significantly impacted Antarctic fur seals, leading to a decline in the population due to changes in food availability. The seals' ability to adapt is hindered by the lack of heritability of 'fitness genes', resulting in a decrease in survival and breeding success.
Refined biological evolution model
A new study by Petri Kärenlampi refines the biological evolution model by incorporating species interactions and varying degrees of symmetry. The results show that anti-symmetric interactions lead to large, stable ecosystems, while symmetric systems remain small.
Physical fitness associated with less pronounced effect of sedentary behavior
Research finds physical fitness buffers adverse health effects of prolonged sitting, reducing associations with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Higher fitness levels are linked to reduced adiposity and improved metabolic measures.
Baboons groom early in the day to get benefits later
In a new study, researchers found that baboons groom each other early in the day to gain access to food and mating opportunities. The study suggests that social strategies of baboons can vary across short periods of time, optimizing certain elements for maximum fitness.
Want a higher GPA in college? Join a gym
Michigan State University researchers found that students with gym memberships had higher GPAs and stayed in school longer. The study analyzed data from 4,843 freshmen and sophomores, showing a 3.5% increase in two-year retention rates among members.
Go play outside! Outdoor time promotes physical activity in youth
A new study confirms that increasing outdoor time after school boosts moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in youth. Youth who spent most of their time outdoors had three times more chances to meet daily MVPA guidelines and higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels.
Window of opportunity against HIV comes from 'fitness bottleneck'
Researchers have found that viral protein sequences matching a consensus sequence are more likely to be transmitted than those that deviate from the consensus. This 'fitness bottleneck' effect allows for a window of opportunity to prevent or limit infection using drugs or vaccines. The study suggests that targeting infected cells for k...
Fit for the frontline? New study identifies the hearing requirements of British soldiers
Researchers identified 17 auditory tasks, such as grid references and enemy movement detection, to assess hearing fitness. The study aims to develop a new auditory fitness test and provide insights into the challenges faced by frontline soldiers.
Adolescents from southern Europe are less fit and more obese than central-northern European peers
A study by the University of Granada found that teenagers in Spain, Italy, and Greece have lower cardiorespiratory capacity, strength, and speed-agility than their northern European peers. The researchers also discovered higher levels of total and abdominal fat among southern adolescents, which may be linked to reduced physical activity.
Better visualizing of fitness-app data helps discover trends, reach goals
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a way to visualize daily activity patterns over time, helping users understand their habits and make meaningful changes. The study found that participants who used this visualization tool had an easier time meeting personal fitness goals.
Sitting too much, not just lack of exercise, is detrimental to cardiovascular health
New study finds sedentary behavior can be detrimental to cardiovascular health, independent of exercise. Researchers recommend taking short walks, tracking daily steps, and replacing desk chairs with fitness balls or treadmill desks.