Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that combining time-restricted eating with high-intensity functional training improves body composition and cardiometabolic health more than either alone. The research, conducted on inactive women with obesity, showed significant weight loss and favorable changes in lipid and glucose levels.
Researchers conducted a groundbreaking study supported by the NIH Common Fund to examine the molecular effects of exercise on healthy adults and children. They discovered varied changes across the body, particularly in adrenal glands, and observed gender differences in molecular responses, especially in white fat tissue.
A study from Aarhus University found that women without children engage in more moderate to vigorous physical activity compared to mothers. The researchers suggest that targeted interventions are needed to increase physical activity among mothers, who face unique barriers such as lack of time and sleep.
Scientists have found that prolonged physical activity causes extensive cellular and molecular changes in all 19 organs studied in rats. The study provides potential clues into many human health conditions, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and inflammatory liver disease.
A study by Eötvös Loránd University found that a combination of cognitive and physical therapy improved the behavior and engagement of older dogs. However, it was discovered that cognitive exercise alone had no positive effects, while physical activity alone showed modest improvements in flexibility and friendliness.
A recent study published in BJSM found that increased cardio fitness level can reduce the risk of death from any cause and heart disease by 11-17% and 18%, respectively. Regular aerobic exercise programs can achieve this, leading to a reduced risk of early death and chronic conditions.
A four-year study found tai chi improved sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and physical function in advanced lung cancer patients. Tai chi demonstrated superior benefits over aerobic exercise in terms of mortality risk reduction and fatigue reduction.
A study by Ohio State University professor Scott Hayes found that incorporating five-minute exercise breaks into lectures can improve students' attention, motivation, and peer engagement. Students reported positive impacts on their course enjoyment and even designed creative exercise sessions, such as a 'picking apples' theme.
Research found that low to moderate intensity exercise reduces depression risk by 23% and anxiety by 26%, while high-intensity exercise showed weaker effects. Moderate activities like gardening and walking were particularly effective in reducing depression risk.
Only 4% of cancer survivors met all four American Cancer Society guidelines, with a mean of 2.0 guidelines met. This study aims to improve understanding of guideline adherence and inform recommendations for patients who have completed cancer treatments.
A study comparing progressive resistance training and neuromuscular exercise found no measurable difference in physical function, pain level, or quality of life between the two groups. The results suggest that patient involvement plays a crucial role in choosing an optimal training type for individual patients.
A study published in Psychiatry Research confirms that weight training improves symptoms of anxiety and depression in old people. The analysis of over 200 articles identified the types of training most indicated for these cases, recommending exercises done three times a week with short sets and proper structure.
A new study found that increased childhood sedentary time is associated with higher blood insulin concentration and a greater risk of excess insulin and insulin resistance. Light physical activity was shown to reduce the risk of excess insulin by 20%, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had a smaller effect.
The SUNRISE European Study Group urges European countries to take specific actions to promote healthy movement behaviors in children under five years. Effective policies targeting upstream environmental influences are required to equitably change movement behaviors among European populations.
Researchers found that undertaking majority of daily aerobic physical activity in the evening is associated with lower risk of premature death and cardiovascular disease for people with obesity. The study, published in Diabetes Care, suggests that planning physical activity into certain times of the day may help offset some health risks.
A US study found that medical cannabis enrollment increased overall between 2016 and 2022, but decreased in states with legalized recreational use. The number of patients using cannabis for medical purposes has risen by over 600% since 2016.
Dr. Olga Boukrina's research aims to test a novel hybrid approach combining aerobic exercise and targeted reading treatment for post-stroke aphasia, targeting 70 stroke survivors. The study seeks to enhance brain blood flow and rehabilitate damaged brain networks supporting reading.
Researchers developed a spring-like device that maximizes muscle contractions to power biohybrid robots. The new flexure design enables predictable and reliable movement, allowing engineers to build muscle-powered robots with increased precision and versatility.
A NIH-supported study found that daily reminders and incentives increased daily steps by over 1,500 for adults with heart disease risks, leading to a 6% reduced risk of premature death. The study also showed that combining financial and game-like rewards was most effective in sustaining long-term behavior change.
A new study found that combining pelvic floor exercises with behavioral therapy can be more effective than current medical treatments in helping men with frequent urges to urinate. The Bladder Emptying Disorder Therapy (BEST) Trial showed significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life measures after just 12 weeks.
A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä found that older adults' functional capacity domains are more closely linked, leading to a collapse in functioning. The researchers suggest that preserving people's functional capacity for as long as possible is crucial for maintaining a good quality of life.
Patients with post-COVID condition exhibit lower aerobic capacity and muscle strength compared to control groups, indicating potential benefits of cautious exercise regimens. The study highlights the need for personalized exercise recommendations to mitigate further skeletal muscle deconditioning in PCC patients.
A University of Adelaide study found that forming long-term recreational exercise habits as a young person has a beneficial impact on physical and mental health later in life. However, certain groups such as females and academic high-achievers are disproportionately at risk of failing to establish regular exercise patterns.
A new study suggests that most essential care for cardiovascular health happens in general primary care clinics, but many at high risk don't receive it. The study found that large percentages of people with major cardiovascular risk factors didn't see a primary care provider or cardiologist in the past year.
A new study aims to understand how family dogs influence children's physical activity levels, with researchers exploring ways to promote healthy habits in young people. The study found that about 20% of daily physical activity comes from time spent with the dog.
Children with developmental disabilities increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity by 17 minutes per day, while reducing sedentary time by nearly an hour per day through the 'Do As I Do' training intervention. The program also helped build responsibility, independence, and awareness of nonverbal cues.
Individuals at high genetic risk of obesity needed higher daily step counts to reduce obesity risk. Population-based recommendations may underestimate physical activity needed among those at high genetic risk.
A Finnish study reveals that bone-strengthening physical activity levels decrease during adolescence, especially among the least fit youth. Regular exercise during childhood and adolescence is essential for maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis later in life.
A researcher is studying patterns of weight gain and BMI increases in children based on behavioral, social, environmental, and biological factors. The study aims to identify monthly patterns in BMI change and associated behaviors.
Researchers monitored astronauts' muscle health using a handheld device, revealing crucial lower leg muscles are at risk of weakening. The technology could also help monitor muscle health in neuro-musculoskeletal conditions like Parkinson's Disease.
The study found that craniofacial injuries related to exercise and weightlifting have increased sharply over the past decade, with higher rates in men and younger age groups. Safe exercise practices, including proper technique training and supervision by gym staff, are recommended to reduce injury rates.
A randomized controlled trial found that exercise programmes reduced fatigue and improved quality of life for patients with metastatic breast cancer. The study showed the greatest benefit among younger patients, but also suggested that supervised exercise can be beneficial for all patients with advanced disease.
Researchers found that daily cranberry extract consumption for 28 days improved running speeds by 1.5% and reduced post-exercise blood lactate levels. The study also showed increased muscle oxygenation rates and slower deoxygenation.
Researchers have discovered compounds that can activate estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), similar to the effects of exercise on metabolism and muscle growth. The new compounds may offer a substitute for exercise in people with medical conditions, such as heart failure and neurodegenerative disease.
Research by Norwegian University of Science and Technology finds that high-intensity interval training increases breast milk's adiponectin levels, a hormone linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This could help prevent childhood obesity.
The Wim Hof method has been found to increase epinephrine levels and decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines, indicating a potential anti-inflammatory response. However, its impact on exercise performance is less clear, with some studies showing benefits and others finding no significant difference.
Adolescents with high adverse childhood experiences showed improved mental health scores with in-person schooling and engaging in healthy behaviors. Positive affect and lower perceived stress were significantly higher among those with in-person schooling, suggesting a protective factor.
Researchers at UTEP are developing a movement-based training program to help healthcare providers manage burnout and improve patient outcomes. The program combines elements of art and science, using exercises like breathing techniques and somatic strategies to promote mindful movement and holistic wellbeing.
Research found that wearing cosmetic foundation during aerobic exercise increased moisture in the skin, but did not significantly affect pore size. Additionally, oil levels decreased on the skin with makeup compared to without it.
A University of Essex study found that elite young players ran faster when focusing on their environment rather than their body. Using external analogies, such as 'sprint like a jet taking off', can increase sprinting speed by 3% over 20 meters.
A UTEP clinical trial will enroll local school district employees in a program challenging them to walk at least 50K steps per week. The study aims to improve health equity and measure the effectiveness of group fitness challenges in Hispanic populations.
A study found that increasing daily step count can counteract the health consequences of too much sedentary time. The optimal number of steps per day to achieve this benefit was between 9,000 to 10,000 steps/day, which lowered mortality risk by 39% and incident CVD risk by 21%.
A world-first study from the University of South Australia reveals that getting a good night's sleep is tied to how you structure your day, with exercise at the heart of sleep quality. Children and adults with higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity had less troubled sleep, reduced tiredness, and better sleep quality.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that older women who sat for 11.7 hours or more per day increased their risk of death by 30 percent. The study used machine-learned algorithm CHAP to examine total sitting time and length of sitting bouts.
A new system synthesizes avatars into 360-degree videos with foot vibrations to create an immersive walking experience. The avatar's shadow induces an illusory presence of the body, while synchronized foot vibrations enhance the sense of leg action.
A recent UConn study assessed the accuracy of ChatGPT's exercise recommendations, revealing that the AI provided only 41% of the expected content in a gold-standard recommendation. The chatbot demonstrated high accuracy for general guidelines but failed to provide key elements such as frequency, intensity, and type of physical activity.
The study found that ginseng can significantly reduce post-exercise muscle damage in healthy adults and improve muscle regeneration. Taking ginseng systematically for a long time can also mitigate the response of biological markers responsible for exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation.
A one-year interdisciplinary therapy program reduced inflammation and cardiometabolic risk in obese adolescents, improving insulin resistance and weight management. The semi-intensive model produced better results than previous intensive models, reversing hyperlipidemia and promoting energy balance.
The study of 5,951 women aged 63 to 99 found that higher levels of physical activity and lower amounts of sedentary time were associated with reduced heart failure risk. Promoting regular physical activity and limiting sedentary time may be a prudent strategy for primary prevention of heart failure in older women.
Researchers found no clear link between weather conditions and muscle and joint pain, debunking a long-standing medical myth. High temperatures, low humidity, and dehydration may increase the risk of gout flares.
A recent study found that yoga significantly reduced pain intensity in women with chronic low back pain, with a notable decrease in flexion-relaxation phenomenon. The research suggests yoga can positively impact chronic back pain management, although further studies are needed to assess its long-term effects.
A new study published in JAMA Cardiology found that taking 3,600 steps per day is associated with a 26% lower risk of developing heart failure. The study also found that accumulating more light and moderate intensity daily activities can help prevent heart failure.
A new study published in LANCET eClinicalMedicine found that regular exercise can help individuals maintain weight loss after completing medical weight loss treatment. The study showed that exercising just two hours a week can lead to better quality of life, improved mental health, and reduced fatigue.
A study found that regular exercise lowers women's risk of premature death by 24%, while men experience a 15% reduced risk. Women can reap benefits from moderate aerobic activity as little as 140 minutes per week, compared to 300 minutes for men.
A study published in European Geriatric Medicine found that self-monitoring with an accelerometer and feedback significantly improved physical activity among elderly individuals requiring long-term care. The intervention group took more steps, spent less time sitting, and engaged in light physical activity compared to the control group.
A recent study by Swansea University analyzed the link between digit ratio and oxygen consumption in professional football players. The research found that athletes with longer ring digits relative to their index fingers had more efficient oxygen metabolism, reaching high maximal oxygen consumption during a cardiopulmonary test.
Moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity after concussion decreases symptoms when reaching a specific volume but provides no additional benefits beyond that point. This finding is significant for recommending post-concussion exercise routines.
A University of Cambridge study found that school uniforms are associated with lower physical activity levels in young people, particularly primary school-aged girls. In countries where most schools require uniforms, fewer students meet the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day.
A systematic review found large reductions in depression for dance and moderate reductions for walking, jogging, and strength training. Exercise combined with SSRIs or psychotherapy showed added benefits. Vigorous exercise had greater effects than low-intensity activities.
A study of 61,000 adults aged 45 or older found that those who adhered to physical activity guidelines before the pandemic had lower odds of developing or being hospitalized for COVID-19. This suggests that higher prepandemic physical activity levels may be linked to reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization.