Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
Researchers from Doshisha University found that high-frequency eccentric-only resistance training at long muscle lengths can chronically decrease passive muscle stiffness. This novel training modality increases muscle strength and size while providing crucial insights into adaptive plasticity.
A lack of adaptive equipment and trained staff in commercial gyms creates significant barriers to exercise for people with disabilities. The study highlights the need for more accessible options and awareness programs to encourage continued physical activity among this population.
Researchers found that humans were born to run due to their unique physiological traits and social benefits of endurance pursuits. Studies reveal that humans were engaging in endurance hunting tactics for thousands of years, with similar patterns observed across diverse environments.
Research from Florida Atlantic University reveals that training closer to failure can boost muscle growth, while having no clear impact on strength gains. The study analyzed data from 55 studies and suggests that individuals who aim to build muscle should work within a desired range of 0-5 reps short of failure.
In a new study, inhaling hydrogen-rich gas (HRG) before acute exercise significantly reduces fatigue and enhances performance. HRG inhalation prior to exercise may be a valuable strategy for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to enhance performance and recovery.
Research at the University of Gothenburg shows that daily activities are insufficient to prevent strokes. Exercise in free time and active transportation significantly reduce stroke risk. The study suggests promoting public health policies encouraging physical activity to improve outcomes.
Researchers propose a novel hypothesis that exercise reduces depressive symptoms by boosting dopamine function and motivation. Studies found inflammation and disrupted dopamine transmission are linked to depression, while exercise reduces inflammation and enhances motivation.
A randomized controlled trial found that structured exercise programs significantly improved the quality of life and reduced fatigue in women with metastatic breast cancer. The program, which included twice-weekly training sessions, also showed improvements in pain, shortness of breath, and social participation.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that mothers' mental health suffers when their families lack food resources, especially if they are the ones going without food. The study highlights the need for strategies to help moms or caregivers manage their mental health during times of food insecurity.
Researchers found that personalized text messages effectively increased physical activity among patients after significant heart events, with Apple Watch users showing a 10% increase in step count. However, the benefits later tapered off as patients became accustomed to the messages.
A cross-sectional study in Australia and Canada found that physical exercise is associated with fewer depression symptoms in people with osteoarthritis. The study suggests that exercise may be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing severe pain, improving mental health outcomes.
Researchers found that participants who completed activity breaks during prolonged sitting sessions slept for 30 minutes longer than those who sat continuously. Short bursts of light-intensity exercise, such as chair squats and calf raises, were used in the intervention.
The study found that exercise increased PEDF levels in skeletal muscles and suppressed senescence markers in the lungs. PEDF also reduced senescence markers in multiple tissues and attenuated decline in respiratory function in pulmonary emphysema mouse model, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for age-related diseases.
A new study found that low energy availability among female athletes impairs performance by up to 18% in short-term tests and increases systemic stress, compromising immune function. Athletes who restrict their food intake experience muscle loss and decreased physical performance.
Researchers found that mice lacking certain signal molecules produced during exercise had reduced oxygen consumption and fat burning, leading to increased susceptibility to weight gain. In humans, those producing more of these alternative versions consumed less oxygen and had lower body fat.
The University of Texas at Arlington has awarded seven Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) grants totaling $140,000 to foster collaboration between groups. The grant increase represents a 40% boost over the previous year's funding.
A new study found that delaying diabetes diagnosis for at least four years through diet and exercise significantly lowers the risk of dying and experiencing cardiovascular events. Individuals who maintained prediabetic status for longer periods had better long-term health outcomes, with a reduced risk of death and complications.
High-intensity interval exercise improves brain function in older adults for up to 5 years, with structural and connectivity changes in the hippocampus detected on high-resolution MRI scans. The study found that only high-intensity interval exercise led to cognitive improvement retained for up to 5 years.
A new Finnish study from University of Turku shows that already a 30-minute exercise can increase the proportion of tumor-killing white blood cells in the bloodstream of breast cancer patients. The amount of several different white blood cell types increased during exercise, with cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells rising the most.
A randomized controlled trial found that four weeks of outdoor gait training, combined with home exercises, improved running biomechanics and reduced the time feet were in contact with the ground. This technique may help patients improve their stride and reduce pain associated with shin splints.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that specific exercise concomitant with chemotherapy can prevent nerve damage in many cases. The exercises reduced the incidence of CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy) by 50-70% and improved patients' perceived quality of life.
A recent study by University of Essex researchers found that only 4% of talented teen football academy prospects make it to the top tier of professional football. The study also revealed that players who succeeded excelled in self-confidence, ball reception skills, and dribbling.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that moderate levels of physical activity and fitness may be linked to a reduced risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) later in life. Male participants who engaged in higher levels of physical activity had a lower risk of developing ALS compared to those with lower activity levels.
The West Virginia University athletic training researcher developed a new national position statement on emergency action plan development and implementation in sports. The recommendations aim to reduce catastrophic injuries by designating an emergency action plan coordinator who collaborates with other athletic staff.
A study published in Health Communication found that adults who looked to a person they knew, such as a friend or relative, for good health inspiration had greater motivation to reach their health goals. The women participants were more likely to choose a personal role model rather than a celebrity.
A randomized clinical trial found that combining exercise with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) treatment was the most effective weight loss strategy while preserving bone health. In contrast, GLP-1RA treatment alone reduced bone mineral density at clinically relevant sites.
A wearable health monitor developed by Washington State University researchers can accurately measure levels of important biochemicals in sweat during physical exercise. The device has the potential to track health conditions and diagnose common diseases, including diabetes, gout, kidney disease, and heart disease.
A preliminary clinical trial found that nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3, increased the walking endurance of patients with peripheral artery disease by over 57 feet. The study suggests that nicotinamide riboside may be a new option for treating chronic leg disease.
Research suggests exercising outdoors has numerous physical and mental health benefits, including improved mood and reduced anxiety. Regular visits to parks and trails can encourage more people to exercise, particularly those in rural areas.
A new study found that physical activity and cognitive training can improve life satisfaction and mood for adults with Down’s syndrome. The Mindsets study involved 83 participants who were assigned to one of four groups for an eight-week period, including a control group, light physical exercise, or BrainHQ activities.
Zhen Yan and his team found thousands of molecular alterations in bodies after various durations of endurance exercise training, which have implications for human health. The study revealed that exercise can be a potent protection against diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
Research from the University of South Australia found that people with knee OA unconsciously believe exercise is dangerous, despite medical advice. The study developed a tool to detect and evaluate these implicit beliefs, suggesting they can be a better predictor of actual behavior than reported attitudes.
A single episode of intense exercise reduces subsequent physical activity and body temperature in mice, leading to weight gain. The study highlights the importance of considering not only calories burned during exercise but also subsequent activity levels and circadian rhythm for effective weight loss.
A recent study published in The Open Sports Sciences Journal found that Ascorbic acid supplementation reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy women. The supplement also increased plasma ascorbic acid levels and reduced post-exercise MDA levels, suggesting a potential protective effect against muscle injury.
A cohort study found lower moderate to vigorous physical activity levels linked to increased cardiovascular disease or mortality in normoglycemic Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults. Adults with prediabetes may gain from reducing sedentary behavior and improving lifestyle factors beyond exercise alone
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that vigorous physical activity can lower the risk of cognitive decline in high-risk patients with hypertension. People who engage in one or more sessions of vigorous exercise per week had lower rates of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends exercise interventions for older adults at increased risk of falls, considering prior falls, medical conditions, and patient values. The overall net benefit is small, making a personalized approach necessary to balance benefits and harms.
Research found that maternal obesity leads to increased levels of microRNA miR-505-5p in the hypothalamus, resulting in altered fatty acid sensing and increased intake of high-fat foods in mouse offspring. Exercise during pregnancy mitigates this effect.
A 12-week health education program using videoconferencing software showed improved physical activity and adherence to health advice compared to a control group. The study suggests that videoconferencing can be an effective tool for promoting sustainable behavioral changes among older adults, regardless of location or distance.
A new study reveals how accumulation of IMAT drives diseases such as muscle loss, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise and healthy diet can prevent and reverse IMAT accumulation.
Researchers identify gaps in understanding how workplace design influences employee active and sedentary behaviors. A new study suggests that accurately measuring behaviors and analyzing spatial layouts can inform the design of work environments that facilitate engagement with inactive behaviors.
Research from McMaster University found that orienteering exercise can improve spatial memory and delay cognitive decline. Those who ran while orienteering showed greater benefits than those who walked or exercised without navigation. The study suggests that orienteering could be a preventative measure for age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers will design a digital intervention to harness existing social relationships and promote sustained behavior changes related to physical activity. A five-year R01 grant will be used to study the effectiveness of this approach in increasing long-term increases in physical activity among U.S. adults.
A national research effort found that eight weeks of endurance exercise training affected multiple bodily tissues and sparked widespread molecular responses in both male and female young adult rats. The study also revealed pronounced sex differences in some organs, such as the kidney.
A study found that moderate-to-vigorous exercise bouts increased natural killer cells' ability to kill cancer cells and made them more susceptible to antibody therapy. This could hold promise for improving treatment outcomes for some forms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers found that exercise increased neuron growth in the hippocampus, rewiring neural circuits to help mice forget strong, traumatic memories. This approach may offer new treatments for PTSD and drug addiction.
A study of 14,399 women found that both step-based and time-based exercise targets were associated with lower risks of early death and cardiovascular disease. The research suggests that individuals should choose a goal aligned with their personal preferences rather than focusing on specific metrics.
A study of 23 elderly patients with hypertension found that evening aerobic exercise improved baroreflex sensitivity, a mechanism that regulates blood pressure. This improvement led to better blood pressure regulation and reduced muscle sympathetic nerve activity, making evening exercise more effective than morning exercise.
New research reveals exercise reverts aged microglia gene expression patterns to those of young microglia, supporting the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus. Exercise also reduces T cell accumulation in the brain, a common feature of aging.
A team of researchers from NUS has developed a novel method to stimulate muscle cells using magnetic therapy, which produces and releases proteins with anticancer properties. The study demonstrates that this non-invasive approach can prevent cancer cell growth and invasion, similar to exercise.
The 2024 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease aims to improve patient outcomes by emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment. Coordinated care among a multispecialty team is crucial in reducing the risk of amputation, heart attack, stroke, and death for individuals with PAD.
Research suggests that the onset of daylight saving time is associated with increased consumption of processed snack foods and fewer trips to the gym. The study found that people ate more processed snack foods later in the day and on overcast days after the time change.
A randomized trial found that aerobic exercise significantly reduced inflammatory markers in adults with obesity, including IL-6 and IFN-γ levels. Exercise combined with liraglutide treatment showed no additional benefits in reducing inflammation compared to placebo or liraglutide alone.
A new study found that elite runners who broke the four-minute mile barrier lived on average almost five years longer than the general population. The study reveals that aerobic fitness has a vital role in longevity and healthy living.
A study of the first 200 athletes to run a mile in under 4 minutes found that they lived nearly 5 years beyond their predicted life expectancy. The runners, who were born between 1928 and 1955, outlived the general population by several years on average, with those whose first successful attempt was in the 1950s living an average of 9 ...
A new study from the University of Toronto found that adults with higher depression symptoms are less likely to engage in physical activity, while being more active is linked to better mental health. The research suggests that current physical activity can have a lasting impact on future depression symptoms and vice versa.
A new study found that children who spent more time being sedentary in childhood had a higher risk of developing heart enlargement, which increases the risk of heart attacks and premature death. In contrast, light physical activity was shown to reduce this risk by 49%.
A recent Finnish study discovered that high levels of sedentary behavior and low physical activity in children are associated with a higher cardiac workload and increased risk of heart disease in adolescence. Regular moderate to vigorous physical activity from childhood can help prevent these issues.
Researchers found that male rats burn fat for energy while female rats preserve their fat mass after vigorous exercise. This sex-dependent difference was attributed to various molecular responses in fat tissue. Exercise made the fat stores of both sexes healthier, with fewer signals associated with obesity.
A new study suggests that consistent physical activity throughout middle-age is associated with a higher health-related quality of life in women. Even those who start exercising in their mid-50s can experience significant benefits for physical health, especially in functional functioning.