Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A new study suggests that adding physical activity into daily life can help lower blood pressure. Replacing sedentary behaviors with 20-27 minutes of exercise per day was estimated to lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in blood pressure, while just five minutes of activity a day was also associated with reduced levels.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that prolonged sitting can boost the risk of heart disease and accelerate aging in young adults. The study found that even moderate exercise may not be enough to counteract the negative impacts of prolonged sitting.
A systematic review found that weight-loss interventions were associated with improvements in some polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms, including improved menstrual frequency. The interventions also showed a clinically significant improvement in metabolic markers and hormonal balance.
A recent study found that the pandemic led to a significant shift towards staying at home, with people spending nearly an hour less per day on out-of-home activities. The trend has continued post-pandemic, with time spent away from home still lower than in 2019.
A systematic review reveals exercise reduces alcohol dependence while improving mental and physical health in patients with alcohol use disorder. The study also found that exercise interventions can lead to significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life.
A study from the University of Jyväskylä found associations between personality traits and daily physical activity and sedentary behavior. Individuals with high conscientiousness and extraversion tend to accumulate longer periods of both, while those with higher neuroticism interrupt their sedentary behavior more often.
Researchers found that AI doctors who recall patients' social information, with privacy control offered, increase patient satisfaction. Human doctors don't require social or medical information to establish a close relationship with patients.
Research suggests that just one or two sessions of physical activity per week can lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, which may be more convenient for busy people than regular exercise. The 'weekend warrior' pattern was found to be associated with a 25% lower risk of cognitive decline compared to non-exercisers.
A 10-week break from resistance training had little effect on maximum strength but did affect muscle size. Maximum strength was better preserved than muscle size during the break. With regular progressive training, gym-goers can quickly regain pre-break levels of strength and muscle size.
A recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that high-intensity exercise significantly suppressed ghrelin levels and reduced feelings of hunger in healthy adults. Women demonstrated greater sensitivity to this response compared to men, suggesting sex-specific differences in appetite regulation.
Women who started an aerobic exercise program during chemotherapy reported improved cognitive function and quality of life compared to those receiving standard care. The study found that while cognitive performance was similar after chemotherapy completion, the exercise program had a positive impact on self-reported cognitive function.
Research suggests standing for long periods does not improve cardiovascular health and may increase circulatory issues. Sitting for over 10 hours a day was found to increase cardiovascular disease risk, highlighting the need for regular movement throughout the day.
A recent Finnish study found that good physical fitness from childhood is associated with fewer stress and depressive symptoms in adolescence. The study also showed that improving physical fitness can help prevent mental health problems.
A new study found that brain endurance training (BET) improves attention and executive function, as well as physical endurance and resistance exercise performance in older adults. BET outperformed exercise-only training in terms of cognitive and physical performance improvements.
A new study published in MED found that maternal exercise during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of asthma in children. The research, which followed over 1,000 mother-child pairs, suggests that engaging in moderate exercise three times a week during pregnancy can lower the risk by nearly half.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that people with type 2 diabetes have lower levels of the protein creatine kinase, leading to impaired mitochondrial function and energy production. This impairment may contribute to poorer energy metabolism in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
A recent study discovered 14 'skinny genes' associated with significant weight loss in response to regular exercise. Participants who carried more of these genes lost up to 5kg during an eight-week period. Exercise was found to be crucial for unlocking the full potential of these genes, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes.
A longitudinal study tracked one person's brain activity for five months, revealing how daily life affects brain function. The research found that physical activity positively influences brain regions, while subtle shifts in mood and heart rate leave lasting imprints for up to fifteen days.
Aerobic physical activity was associated with modest short-term and long-term reductions of depression among adults with cancer. The study suggests that aerobic exercise may be an effective strategy for managing depression in cancer patients.
A pilot open-label randomized controlled trial found a multicomponent physical activity promotion program increased light (14 min/day) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (9.4 min/day), as well as step counts, among remote workers in Japan.
A six-month study found that reducing daily sitting by 40 min/day can prevent back pain from worsening. The researchers suggest trying to reduce sitting at work or leisure time, but emphasize the importance of physical activity such as walking or brisk exercise.
A six-month study in the UK found that ParkRun participants experienced improved life satisfaction, particularly for those who were previously inactive. The study estimates a cost-effectiveness range of £16.70 to £98.50 for every pound spent on running.
Researchers developed a method combining AI and thermal cameras to enhance weightlifting training, providing data-driven insights for targeted strategies. The approach enables real-time tracking of muscle activation, strain detection, and temperature changes, ultimately helping athletes optimize performance and safety.
Children worldwide fail to meet WHO guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep, highlighting the need for effective context-specific programs. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding factors influencing these behaviors in young children.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan challenge assumptions about the validity and suitability of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for public health. They argue that evidence-based findings show HIIT is enjoyable and effective for a wide range of populations, despite critics' claims.
Researchers found that weekend warrior and regular physical activity patterns were associated with substantially lower risks of over 200 diseases. Weekend warrior activity was found to be just as effective at decreasing risk as more evenly distributed exercise activity.
A study conducted by the University of Gothenburg found that meal boxes with healthy recipes and subsidized meals led to a greater reduction in children's BMI compared to lifestyle treatment alone. The intervention also involved family meals, which were perceived as tolerable and reduced conflicts over food shopping.
A nonrandomized clinical trial found that wearable devices can increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reduce dyspnea at 6 months post-lung cancer surgery. This suggests a promising role for wearable devices in personalizing perioperative rehabilitation strategies.
Two studies found breastfeeding after breast cancer diagnosis is safe and feasible for young patients with specific genetic variations, as well as hormone receptor-positive breast cancer survivors. A third study shows a telephone-based coaching program can significantly increase physical activity in overweight patients, potentially imp...
A new hybrid closed-loop technology has been shown to enable people with type 1 diabetes to run marathons with excellent glucose control. The technology, called AID system, automates insulin delivery based on sensor glucose values, allowing for safer and healthier lives.
A new study found that adults with type 1 diabetes are hesitant to exercise due to fear of hypoglycaemia, a concern exacerbated by limited understanding of insulin dose adjustments and carbohydrate intake for physical activity. Education on exercise safety and dialogue within clinics can help break down barriers.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that only 3% of lifestyle advice recommendations have positive effects in practice. The researchers suggest alternative community-based interventions for improving public health. The new guideline aims to help policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions.
Dartmouth anthropologists argue that jungle gyms and monkey bars are essential for childhood development, allowing children to build resilience and confidence through risk-taking play. The research cites fossil evidence showing early humans spent extensive time in trees, and modern nonhuman primates exhibit similar climbing skills.
A study found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with muscle strength exercises was the most efficacious in improving cardiovascular parameters, including waist circumference, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness. HIIT was more beneficial than moderate exercise or resistance training alone.
A recent study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found that young vapers performed worse in exercise tests compared to non-vapers and smokers. The research showed that vaping was associated with lower peak exercise capacity, reduced oxygen consumption, and signs of blood vessel dysfunction.
Researchers found that super spikes improve running speeds by 2%, with some brands performing better than others, and athletes taking longer steps rather than faster ones. The study used a novel protocol to capture the impact of shoe design on middle-distance track performance.
Researchers created a mouse model to study relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs), revealing the syndrome impacts the entire body and affects males and females differently. REDs leads to hormonal and reproductive issues, insomnia and fatigue, bone weakness and injury, and anxiety and depression.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed sensors that track physical changes experienced by exercisers while using VR headsets, allowing game designers to create immersive programs that adapt to a person's abilities and mood. This technology aims to increase user engagement and adherence to exercise.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation develop a new clinical protocol to improve learning and memory in individuals with multiple sclerosis who have mobility disability. The study combines aerobic exercise with virtual reality and cognitive rehabilitation, showing potential synergistic effects on cognitive improvements.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies with 1.2 million participants found that wearable technology can accurately detect conditions such as heart rate variability, blood pressure, oxygen levels, sleep quality, skin temperature, hydration, and stress levels. The study suggests that wearable activity trackers could r...
A new UMass study identifies key factors influencing exercise among nursing students, including intrinsic motivation, social support, demographic identifiers, and health-tracking technology. The research aims to help nurses build healthy habits before entering the workforce.
Researchers in human nutrition developed an innovative tool to assign a healthy hydration recommendation score to governments, promoting water and discouraging sugary beverages. The study analyzed 93 countries with dietary guidelines, finding that 48 had complementary messages encouraging water and reducing sugary beverage intake.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that general exercise programs can reduce urinary incontinence symptoms almost as much as pelvic floor yoga. The LILA study involved 240 women who experienced urinary incontinence at least daily, and randomly assigned them to either a pelvic yoga program or a physical condit...
A comprehensive brain imaging study found that diabetes and prediabetes are associated with accelerated brain ageing, with brains appearing 0.5-4 years older than chronological age. A healthy lifestyle may help counteract this effect, with associations attenuated among people with high physical activity.
A recent study from Waseda University found that short-duration, light-intensity exercises significantly increase oxy-Hb levels in the prefrontal cortex of children, indicating improved cerebral blood flow. This breakthrough suggests potential benefits for children's executive functions and brain development.
A University of Bonn study reveals that strength training activates the BAG3 system, essential for eliminating damaged cell components. This finding holds promise for new therapies for heart failure, nerve diseases, and even benefits for manned space missions.
A recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports found that reduced body flexibility is associated with poor survival in middle-aged men and women. After analyzing data from 3,139 participants, researchers discovered an inverse relationship between Flexindex scores and mortality risk.
A new study found that interval exercise is better suited for men with low blood sugar levels, while continuous exercise is more effective for women. The research suggests that gender-specific recommendations should be considered when prescribing aerobic exercise to patients with type-1 diabetes.
Researchers explore the effect of exercise on age-related biomarkers in human skeletal muscle, revealing its potential to foster healthier aging. The study represents the first quantitative and qualitative analysis of this impact, highlighting the benefits of exercise for age-related diseases.
A 15-minute gamified workplace wellness program increased participants' average daily physical activity levels by 12 minutes per day, with 95% meeting physical activity guidelines. Participants also reported improvements in fitness, energy, overall health, sleep quality, and mood.
A study at UFSCar found that remote testing can be reliable for functional mobility and muscle strength, especially for those with dementia. This new methodology enables more frequent health sessions and better patient tracking.
A new study found that females' and males' muscles handle glucose and fatty acids differently, but regular physical activity cancels out these differences and triggers similar beneficial metabolic changes in both sexes. This research has important implications for preventing type 2 diabetes.
CNIO researchers have discovered a 'switch' for the desire to engage in physical activity, revealing a muscle-brain pathway that controls eagerness to train more when we exercise. Two proteins, p38α and p38γ, get activated in the muscle during exercise, influencing interest in physical activity.
A new study found that digital health tools can improve health and wellbeing by keeping people active, boosting steps, and improving diet and sleep. The research synthesised data from 206,873 people across 47 studies, indicating that electronic and mobile health interventions can help people achieve positive outcomes.
A new study found significant improvements in aerobic fitness after 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training sessions compared to traditional, moderate exercise. Researchers suggest this time-efficient approach can be safely and effectively implemented in clinical practice for stroke survivors.
A new study by UC Riverside demonstrates that calorie restriction does not significantly reduce voluntary exercise in mice. Researchers found that mice continued to run at similar levels regardless of the amount of food they ate, challenging the long-held belief that dieting drains workout energy. The study's findings have implications...
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that a healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes even in individuals with a high genetic risk. Lifestyle changes significantly improved glucose metabolism and reduced the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic risk.
Studies in mice reveal that orexin plays a key role in deciding between physical activity and consuming food, particularly when both options are available. By understanding this process, scientists aim to develop strategies to overcome exercise barriers and address the global obesity epidemic.
A new Drexel University study reveals that dance and movement therapy (DMT) can foster empathy, positive peer relationships, and cultural self-efficacy among middle school students. The program, developed by Nalini Prakash, aimed to address ethnic bullying and promote cross-cultural connections.
Researchers developed a formula and assessment tool to calculate fall risks for older adults, considering factors like poor oral and cognitive function. The tool is simple to use and may assist in prevention and follow-up care.