Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A five-year study found that most sports and exercise are overwhelmingly safe, with injuries being rare. Fitness activities like running, golf, and dance classes have the lowest injury rates, while sports like football have a moderate risk of injury, with motorsports and gliding carrying significantly higher dangers.
An international study led by the University of Granada found that 8,000 steps daily significantly reduce premature death risk, equivalent to 6.4 km walking. The pace at which you walk also provides additional benefits, with faster walking associated with reduced mortality risk.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen demonstrates that 10-20-30 interval training is effective for improving running times and overall fitness, even at 80% sprint intensity. This type of training benefits both blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Research at Osaka University finds that warming up can rapidly activate contractile proteins and improve muscle performance, particularly in skeletal muscles. This difference may allow skeletal muscles to contract quickly upon warming, saving energy and resting when needed.
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that older adults from distressed communities are less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation after coronary revascularization. The study found that only 26% of patients from these areas used cardiac rehab, compared to 46% from prosperous areas.
A new study found that muscle dysmorphia symptoms are associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Canadian adolescents and young adults. The study highlights the need for greater awareness and proper identification of muscle dysmorphia symptoms to prevent future suicidal ideation and suicide planning.
Weight gain in females with a family history of mood disorders begins before the onset of mood disorders, highlighting the need for childhood interventions. Early interventions can prevent adverse mental and physical outcomes in this vulnerable group.
A new study suggests that progressive strength training using resistance can protect against the detrimental effects of a high-protein diet. The research found that exercise protected mice from gaining excess fat mass, but did not affect blood sugar control. This paradoxical finding has implications for athletes and individuals with se...
Researchers will study the impact of exercise, intermittent fasting, and their combination on fatigue, biomarkers of inflammation, and quality of life in women with advanced breast cancer. The trial aims to improve treatment tolerability and possibly life duration for these patients.
A recent study published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine found that playing golf, Nordic walking, or regular walking for just one session can improve immediate cognitive function in older adults. The research also showed that Nordic walking and regular walking were associated with enhanced executive functions.
A new study found that pre-pregnancy obesity is a primary driver of future cardiovascular disease risk, rather than pregnancy complications. The research followed 4,216 individuals from early pregnancy to postpartum and found those with overweight or obese BMI had a higher risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
A recent study found that less than one-third of TAVR patients participate in cardiac rehabilitation within 90 days after discharge. Factors such as age, frailty, and medical complexity contribute to lower enrollment rates. The study highlights the need for improved education and hospital protocols to promote post-procedure care.
A study comparing exercise and antidepressants found that both treatments have similar benefits for mental health but exercise improved physical health markers. However, patients struggled to stick with the exercise routine due to higher drop-out rates.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that individuals with fatty liver disease are three times more likely to have a personality disorder than those without. Lifestyle modifications, such as changes in diet and exercise, can prevent disease progression but often fail to be implemented due to mental health factors.
Research reveals increased sympathetic nerve activity and reduced exercise capacity in patients with heart failure resulting from anthracycline chemotherapy. Sympathetic neural overdrive is associated with skeletal myopathy and decreased cardiac function.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego developed screen-printed, flexible sensors that can record brain activity and lactate levels in earbuds. The sensors allow for long-term health monitoring and detection of neuro-degenerative conditions.
A new study from Tulane University found that walking more than five flights of stairs daily can cut the risk of heart disease by 20%. The study, published in Atherosclerosis, used UK Biobank data from 450,000 adults and found that stair climbing reduced cardiovascular disease risk in those with multiple risk factors.
Researchers tracked over 25,000 people using wearables data and found that daily living activities of at least moderate intensity can reduce major cardiac events; longer bouts lasting 5-10 minutes may have comparable health benefits.
A Michigan Medicine-led report found that adding a mobile health application to wearable devices did not significantly improve physical activity levels in patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. However, some short-term outcomes showed an increase in walking distance over six minutes for Fitbit users.
A new study reveals the vagus nerve increases activity during exercise to enhance coronary blood flow and improve heart function, challenging existing ideas about the nervous system's role in physical activity.
A recent study found that adding 3000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults. The study involved sedentary adults aged 68-78 who walked an average of 4000 steps before the intervention, resulting in a 7-point decrease in systolic and 4-point decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that exercise suppresses hunger by acting on hormones and metabolites. Researchers suggest that understanding these mechanisms could lead to new treatments for obesity.
A new exercise-mimicking drug, SLU-PP-332, has shown promising results in obese mice, leading to weight loss and increased muscle activity without increasing physical activity. The drug works by boosting a natural metabolic pathway, making the body act like it is training for a marathon, resulting in faster metabolism of fat.
A global comparative study assesses barriers to participation in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs for men and women, highlighting sex differences and regional variations. The study provides patients with mitigation strategies to address these barriers and improve CR utilization.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich discovered how exercise influences muscle function, immune cells, and metabolism in conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes. They found that regulatory T cells play a critical role in controlling muscle function and regeneration.
A recent clinical trial found that creatine supplementation significantly reduced post-COVID-19 fatigue and improved related symptoms such as loss of taste and breathing difficulties. Creatine levels in leg muscles and the brain also increased after 6 months of intake.
A new study published in Diabetologia reveals that morning and afternoon physical activity are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that each 1-unit increase in MET-hour physical activity was linked to a 10% reduction in risk, with the association being most pronounced in the morning and aft...
Researchers found that high-intensity exercise training reduced inflammatory markers and increased immune cells in the colon of Lynch Syndrome patients. This non-randomized study suggests that exercise may be a valuable 'lifestyle prescription' for reducing cancer risk in these individuals.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that rehabilitation interventions significantly improve functional exercise capacity, dyspnea, and quality of life in adults with post-COVID-19 condition. The certainty of evidence for these outcomes was moderate to high.
A new study in PNAS discovers a protein, Iditarod, that regulates autophagy in fruit flies, linking exercise to cellular maintenance and cold tolerance. Flies lacking the gene exhibit impaired exercise endurance and reduced ability to tolerate cold.
A comprehensive review of sedentary behavior's effects on health found excessive sitting to lead to insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, and increased body fat. The study emphasizes the need for more research on effective interventions to reduce sedentary behavior.
Endurance training triggers profound muscle remodeling, with trained muscles responding differently to physical stress by activating protective genes and epigenetic modifications. This adaptation enables trained muscles to be more efficient and resilient, ultimately leading to increased muscle endurance.
A three-year grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will fund Dr. Carly Wender's study on maximizing learning and memory function in individuals with MS. The COMBINE intervention combines cognitive rehabilitation technique KF-mSMT with innovative exercise training to improve new learning and memory.
A study led by UCL researchers found that having a hobby is linked to fewer depressive symptoms and higher levels of happiness, self-reported health, and life satisfaction among people aged 65 and over. The benefits of hobbies were relatively universal across 16 countries on three continents.
The American Heart Association and NFL offer resources to support physical activity in classrooms. The initiative aims to promote whole-body health and reduce sedentary behaviors among students.
Researchers from Japan and Canada explore how built environment enables walking behavior, finding that destinations strengthen the relationship between street integration and transportation walking. The study reveals that designing well-connected street layouts with easy access to amenities encourages walking.
A tailored exercise program starting three to six weeks after shoulder surgery is the best approach for preventing a secondary shoulder dislocation. Patients who embark on such a program are twice as likely to avoid a recurrent injury than those using exercise alone.
Researchers at UC Irvine issue a warning that GLP-1RA's may be dangerous for children due to the risk of nutrient imbalance and abuse. The team notes that children need energy and sufficient calories for growth and development, and any change in their diet and exercise balance can have long-term health consequences.
The European Society of Cardiology has published its first international guidelines on cardiomyopathies, covering all subtypes and specific recommendations for other than hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The guidelines aim to improve diagnosis, treatment and management of heart muscle diseases, emphasizing patient-centered care.
A large population study found that unhealthy lifestyles between ages of 60 and 64 are associated with a doubling in the risk of nursing home admission. Physical inactivity, smoking, poor diet, and sleep disorders were linked to an increased risk of care, particularly among 60-64 year olds.
A new study published in JPRAS Open found that breast size affects women's attitudes towards exercise, with larger breasts leading to less frequent exercise. However, after breast reduction surgery, women reported increased overall frequency, enjoyment and willingness to exercise in a group.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire found that pregnant women living in walkable areas engage in more physical activity and have fewer issues with pregnancy complications. The study also suggests that walking can have health benefits beyond exercise, such as social interactions and community engagement.
A new study finds that people who adhere to a Mediterranean lifestyle have a lower risk of all-cause and cancer mortality. The study, led by La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed data from 110,799 participants and found an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean lif...
Chronic disease medications impair the body's ability to regulate core temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illness in elderly patients. Exercise and improved fitness levels can help mitigate these effects, but bodily impairments from chemotherapy and medications may limit exercise capacity.
Researchers at University of Queensland discovered platelets secrete a protein that rejuvenates neurons in aged mice, similar to exercise. This finding has significant implications for developing drug interventions to promote neurogenesis and enhance cognition.
Scientists have identified platelet factor 4 (PF4) as a common messenger for the cognitive benefits of young blood transfusion, exercise, and the longevity hormone klotho. Studies show that PF4 calms down the aged immune system, reducing inflammation and promoting brain plasticity and cognition.
A large long-term study found that good cardiorespiratory fitness in young men is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing nine specific cancers, including a 40% reduced risk of liver cancer. Higher fitness was also linked to lower risks of rectal, pancreatic, and bowel cancers.
The NIH grant will support researchers investigating how exercise can slow the decline of skeletal muscle with age, with a focus on the transcription factor MYC. The study aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying exercise-induced rejuvenation of old muscle and its potential applications for promoting youthfulness.
A network meta-analysis found that breathing training combined with aerobic exercise, and yoga training, enhance lung function in adults with asthma. The study highlights the importance of integrating appropriate exercise training into asthma management plans.
A randomized clinical trial found that exercise significantly reduced depressive symptoms and burnout in healthcare workers, while improving mental health. However, low adherence to exercise programming was noted towards the end of the study.
A new University of British Columbia study found that simple home workouts using exercise apps can effectively reduce depressive symptoms in healthcare workers. The research suggests that offering accessible, easy ways to exercise could be a major tool to combat the global mental health crisis in the sector.
A new study out of the University of Alberta found that high-intensity interval training poses little risk to expecting mothers and their babies. The research suggests that engaging in physical activity during pregnancy can reduce the risk of major complications by 40%.
A recent study published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders found that higher daily physical activity is associated with lower levels of fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study also suggests that maintaining functional capacity through suitable exercise can help reduce fatigue, improving the ...
Researchers highlight the potential of wearables to unlock new insights into physical activity and health risks. However, they also underscore challenges including data standardization, industry-academia gaps, and unequal access to these devices.
Moderate and vigorous aerobic physical activity combined with muscle-strengthening activity may lower mortality risk. Higher levels of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity are associated with lower cancer and all-cause mortality rates.
Researchers at the University of South Australia found that chatbots significantly improved physical activity, diet and sleep. Chatbots were effective across different age groups and more conducive to achieving positive outcomes than speech-based AI. A blended approach with human coaching may be the most beneficial.
A pooled data analysis found that at least 25 minutes/day of slow walking can counteract the negative effects of bed rest on older hospital patients. Daily 50 minutes of slow walking or a mix of physical activities is even more effective in improving their functional capacity.
A recent study found that employees tend to be less productive in the afternoons, especially on Fridays, with increased typing errors and reduced computer activity. Flexible work arrangements like hybrid work or a four-day week may help mitigate this decline in productivity.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in ovarian cancer survivors. Incorporating exercise programs into standard oncology care may improve quality of life for these patients.
A new study from the University of South Australia reveals that golfers have a higher lifetime prevalence of skin cancer compared to the general population. The research highlights the importance of sun protection strategies for golfers, who spend extended periods in the sun.