Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
Researchers at Penn State will test whether a remote program focused on gardening, cooking, nutrition education, and peer support can help adults build healthier habits and influence their children's health. The program aims to combine enjoyment and intrinsic motivation for sustained behavior change.
A study of 10,000 employees found that sit-stand desks increase active computer time by 43 minutes a day, resulting in 171 additional hours of work per year. This translates to a potential annual productivity gain of nearly $9,000 per employee.
A study from the University of Birmingham found that nearly 30% of ingested carbohydrates remain unavailable to fuel exercise in hot conditions. Despite heat acclimation, the mechanism stopping carbohydrate transfer into muscles was not alleviated.
A study by the University of Exeter found that children who visit parks at least once a week have better mental health and social development. The study, which looked at 4,219 participants, suggests that parks can be a practical way to support children's emotional wellbeing and social skills.
Researchers found that adults with CHD who watched sports on TV or attended events reported fewer depressive symptoms. Regular sports viewing was associated with improved mental well-being in this population, suggesting potential benefits for mental health support strategies.
A randomized trial found that intravenous iron repletion led to functional benefits after 12 weeks for patients with HFpEF and iron deficiency. Peak oxygen uptake improved by approximately 10% in the intervention group.
Research reveals that female runners with longer weekly distances tend to expend less energy during daily activities, while resting and sleeping metabolic rates decrease. The study suggests that greater training volumes may lead to differences in energy expenditure distribution across exercise, daily activities, and resting metabolism.
A new study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals that walking boosts healthcare costs but at a specific step count threshold of around 11,000 steps per day. The study found that the relationship between physical activity and healthcare costs is age-dependent, with older adults being more sensitive to daily steps.
A new viewpoint argues that exercise should be prescribed like a medication for brain health care, citing evidence for its benefits on cognitive function, mood, and anxiety. The authors highlight the need for a structured, individualized approach to exercise, tailored to specific needs and populations.
Exerkines, exercise-responsive signals, coordinate interorgan crosstalk to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation. Exerkine-based diagnostics and therapeutics hold promise for precision management of chronic metabolic diseases.
Researchers developed an instructor program to upskill allied health professionals and judo coaches in teaching safe falling skills to older adults. The program improved instructors' knowledge, competence, and safe falling skills, with 89% increase in self-reported skills.
A systematic review found that six single therapies and two multi-modal therapies were cost-effective for low back pain, including exercise, yoga, and psychological support. These non-invasive interventions can reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes, making them a viable option for patients with low back pain.
A new guide, Football for Diabetes, adapts football training for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, focusing on individual abilities and enjoyment. The 12-week training programme combines warm-up, ball exercises, and small-sided games to benefit physical and mental well-being.
A 24-week eye-movement training program improved eye-hand coordination and digit recognition in children, but no significant impact was found on balance ability. The study suggests that sustained training may help enhance certain visual functions in school-age children.
New research suggests that heat-based recovery strategies may influence some biological processes involved in recovery following muscle-damaging exercise, but do not translate to significant improvements in muscle strength or soreness over a 72-hour period
A study from Northwestern University found that a personalized fitness program for liver transplant candidates can significantly improve frailty and reduce mortality risk by 50%. The program, called prehabilitation, was linked to a lower risk of dying while awaiting a transplant.
A McGill University study found that Montrealers reduced their outdoor activities by only 5.8% when wildfire smoke warnings were issued, switching to more enclosed modes like bikeshare and public transit. The researchers suggest pairing advisories with practical incentives to encourage compliance.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that pregnancy brain, or 'baby brain,' is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, but exercise may not be the solution. Women who exercised regularly may actually experience more brain fog if they have high levels of anxiety symptoms.
A new American College of Cardiology Scientific Statement recommends prescribing exercise that is safe, achievable and sustainable over time to treat and prevent heart disease. Regular physical activity improves exercise capacity, reduces hospitalization and enhances quality of life, with small increases producing meaningful benefits.
A molecular atlas of exercise-associated changes in mice reveals distinct responses to exercise varying by tissue, cell type, sex, and circadian phases. The atlas provides a comprehensive resource for understanding systemic molecular adaptations to endurance exercise, enabling the development of personalized exercise strategies.
A new study by Flinders University highlights the risks of poor mental health and wellbeing in young athletes (17-24 years old) due to heavy dual-career demands. Young athletes who pursue sport for personal enjoyment and a love for the game tend to be more persistent and psychologically healthier.
A new study by the European Respiratory Society found that regular walking reduces COPD symptom flare-ups regardless of air pollution levels. Walking 1000 steps per day reduced the likelihood of flare-ups by around 5%, and faster walking speeds increased the benefits.
A major Adelaide University study found that outside school hours care services that completed the Activated OSHC program showed substantial improvements in physical activity and screen time practices. The program, which provides tips for creating an active environment and reducing screen time, was trialled in 200 services caring for 1...
A new review outlines clinical, digital trial, and AI strategies to bring tai ji quan into routine fall-prevention care, reducing falls and improving mobility among older adults. The proposed three-pillar roadmap aims to close the evidence-to-practice gap, emphasizing human expertise and AI-enabled technologies.
Research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that endurance exercise alters liver cell energy production, with female rats producing more proteins and male rats modifying existing proteins. Both sexes showed improved liver health, with reduced fat and markers of fibrosis.
A study of over 5,500 adolescents found that those who took more daily steps had fewer mental health problems a year later. Higher step counts were associated with differences in brain areas linked to movement and mood, explaining the link between physical activity and mental health.
Exercise performed in hot environments improves aerobic performance, reduces resting and exercise core temperature, and increases sweat rate. Additionally, exercise-induced metabolic heat production promotes a degree of heat resilience even without environmental heat exposure.
Research finds autophagy rates don't decline with age as expected, but rather vary in different cell types and are influenced by sex. Exercise may modify autophagy levels in humans, potentially reducing blood cell activity in older adults while improving physical performance.
Researchers found that high-intensity walking programs led to greater improvements in frailty status compared to casual pace walking in older adults. The study, published in PLOS, suggests that high-intensity walking may be an effective way to reverse frailty in older adults.
Researchers found that a low-energy diet combined with structured exercise can reverse early onset type 2 diabetes in approximately half of participants. The study, which included 96 participants aged 18-45, showed significant improvements in blood sugar control, fitness, and muscle mass.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that children and teenagers with better cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of developing depression as adults. The research, which spanned over 30 years, examined the fitness of Australian children aged 7-15 and found that cardiorespiratory fitness was the strong...
Researchers discovered that moderate-intensity exercise significantly improved cartilage health and tissue resilience in aging-related osteoarthritis. The molecular cargo of extracellular vesicles was found to be enriched with microRNA-29, which restored youthful characteristics in cartilage cells and reduced joint degeneration features.
Research suggests that isometric exercise training, even with less frequent training, can help maintain significant blood pressure reductions. The study found that those who exercised once or twice a week maintained improvements in blood pressure and other cardiac measures.
A randomized clinical trial found that supervised physical therapy after ACL surgery yielded greater improvements in pain, function, and muscle strength compared to a self-directed exercise program. Researchers concluded that supervised exercise therapy combined with education offers meaningful short-term benefits for young adults with...
A new study suggests that eating a diet low in ultra-processed foods and exercising regularly can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, even in those with a strong genetic predisposition. The analysis of data on tens of thousands of people found that those who followed these habits were up to 70% less likely to develop the condition.
Participants with mild disabilities experienced a $1,177 annual reduction in care costs, compared to non-participants. Community gathering places promote social participation, exercise, and mutual support, contributing to healthy aging and mitigating long-term care costs.
A new study found that exercise can significantly reduce acute and chronic pain across various conditions, with shorter-duration programs delivering greater pain reductions. Exercise was associated with substantial reductions in pain, regardless of the type, intensity, or duration of exercise.
A study with mice found that seven days of strength training activated lipid breakdown mechanisms, reduced fat cell size, and decreased fat around the intestines. This effect occurred even before any weight loss was observed on the scale.
A global alliance of sports and exercise medicine professionals addresses challenges of aging societies, including functional longevity. They emphasize the need for sports medicine to adapt to an aging population, prioritizing preventative measures.
Researchers assessed glucose levels, carbohydrate intake, and continuous glucose monitoring accuracy during the 2025 Poznań Marathon. Participants with type 1 diabetes completed the race with performance comparable to controls, highlighting the potential for safe marathon participation with proper glucose management.
A UK Biobank study found that higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are associated with a substantially lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly among younger adults. Encouraging older adults to be physically active could prevent more cases of type 2 diabetes due to their high overall risk.
Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation reduces hospital admissions by a third and heart attack risk by more than a quarter, with long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness. Digital programmes can be just as effective as traditional centre-based services, making rehabilitation more accessible.
College students who engage with sports content online are no more likely to participate in real-world physical activity, according to a SeoulTech study. The research suggests that YouTube sports content could be improved to encourage viewers to engage in sustained physical activity with practical features.
A meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials involving 8449 participants found that structured exercise was associated with significant improvements in overall survival and reduced risk of cancer recurrence. The benefits were strongest among participants who completed at least 70% of their exercise program.
A Finnish study found that remote workers sleep 15 minutes longer and spend 45 minutes more sitting and lying down than office workers. This increase in sedentary behavior is attributed to less standing and increased sitting in a home setting.
A new framework proposes 'movement span' as a third dimension of aging beyond life span and health span. Movement span is defined as the duration of life during which an individual can move with confidence, responsiveness, and adaptive control.
A study found that just 10 minutes of very slow running improves mood and executive function, activating the prefrontal cortex. This suggests that even low-intensity exercise can have cognitive benefits.
Research found that different combinations of step count and intensity lower risk of early death, with brisk pace for 30 minutes/day and fewer steps at faster pace or more steps at slower pace being associated with lower risk. Higher intensity at lower volume provides health benefits comparable to higher volume at lower intensity.
Research from Monash University and the University of Sydney found that walking at a brisker pace may be the sweet spot for those with sedentary lifestyles, and that every step counts, regardless of pace or daily step count.
Researchers found typical errors in smartwatch calorie estimates of about 15% to 25%, with averages for the worst-performing watches climbing much higher. Smartwatches can still be useful, but users should understand their limitations and use data to track personal trends over time.
Researchers found that aerobic exercise significantly improves executive functions, including planning, task-switching, and focus, in post-menopausal women. Regular exercise can help preserve cognitive health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, with benefits observed as early as three months into the program.
New research from La Trobe University finds that injury or pain affects participation in social sport for one in five physically inactive women. Inactive women from lower-income households are more likely to be injury-affected, with knee, lower back, and ankle injuries being the most common complaints.
A new smartphone app called Mobilio uses AI, machine learning, and personalized audio cues to provide turn-by-turn directions, path guidance, and obstacle avoidance for people with blindness or low vision. The app completed outdoor navigation tasks 13% faster and reduced obstacle contact by 41% compared to Google Maps and a white cane.
A study in birds found that physical activity in youth decreases energy used for moving as an adult, with significant implications for human health. The research, led by Penn State researchers, suggests that children who are physically active may become more efficient movers, making exercise more accessible and beneficial for adults.
A randomized clinical trial found that pregnant women who followed a strength training program had a 0% incidence of gestational diabetes, compared to 7.3% in the control group. The program also improved quality of life and reduced pregnancy symptoms.
Researchers found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a slower age-related decline in kidney function. The study of 198 adults with preserved kidney function found that maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness may help protect kidney health later in life.
New research suggests that leisure-time exercise, such as walking or sports, is associated with a lower risk of dementia, while physically demanding jobs may increase dementia risk. The study analyzed data from over 4.2 million people and found that household physical activity also appeared beneficial.
A new book by University of Virginia Health System expert Daniel J. Cox outlines a practical alternative to medication for managing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The GEM program emphasizes smart eating, physical activity, and listening to the body to regulate blood sugar levels.
Research found that six sets of 30-second sprints altered nearly a quarter of proteins in the bloodstream, while 90 minutes of moderate cycling changed fewer than one-quarter of one percent. Sprinting triggered changes in more than 200 metabolites and was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
A recent Finnish study found that more screen time since childhood is associated with better cognitive processing in adolescence. The researchers recommend encouraging active thinking and problem-solving through screen use. The study also highlights the importance of balancing physical activity and sedentary time to promote brain health.