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A healthy lifestyle may help former smokers lower their risk of death from all causes

A recent study found that former smokers who stick to a healthy lifestyle have a lower risk of dying from all causes, including cancer and heart and lung diseases. The study analyzed data from over 159,000 former smokers and found that maintaining a healthy lifestyle was associated with a 27% reduction in the risk of death.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

Online yoga programs may improve knee function in the short term

A randomized trial found that a 12-week online yoga program improved knee function in participants, but did not significantly reduce knee pain during walking. The study suggests that unsupervised online yoga programs can be feasible and improve physical function, but more research is needed to sustain the effectiveness.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 19, 2022

Fitness trackers reveal links between exercise, memory, and mental health

A new study from Dartmouth College found that specific intensities of exercise over a long period are associated with different aspects of memory and mental health. Participants who exercised at moderate intensities performed better on episodic memory tasks, while those who exercised at high intensities did better on spatial memory tasks.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2022

Women’s mental well-being more sensitive to exercise than men’s during different stages of pandemic

A recent study by Binghamton University researchers found that women's mental health is more affected by physical exercise frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic. High exercise frequency often resulted in high levels of mental distress in women, contrasting with men, where frequent exercise was advantageous. The study suggests that wom...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalNutrients·DateSep 13, 2022

Exercise and education: Diabetes prevention work helps local Latino children, families

A study led by Arizona State University Professor Gabriel Shaibi found that a community-based program combining education and exercise significantly improves the health of Latino children at risk for diabetes. The program, which included 117 families from around the Valley, provided culturally focused lessons on healthy eating and phys...

SourceArizona State University·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 12, 2022

Older adults with regular activity routines are happier and do better on cognitive tests, study finds

A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that older adults with consistent daily routines are happier, less depressed, and have better cognitive function. Participants who rose early, stayed active throughout the day, and followed a regular routine performed better on cognitive tests than those with disrupted patterns.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateSep 12, 2022

Less invasive treatment for emphysema is as good as more invasive surgery: results from first randomised controlled trial comparing lung volume surgery and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with valve placement

A randomized controlled trial found that both BVLR and surgery lead to significant improvements in lung function, breathlessness, and exercise capacity. The study suggests that less invasive BVLR may be a good therapeutic option for suitable patients, offering a similar outcome to traditional surgery.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 5, 2022

People who were most physically active fared worse during the pandemic

A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that physically active adults experienced worsened mental health during the pandemic, with increased anxiety symptoms in men and depression symptoms across both sexes. Those who reduced physical activity had fewer depression symptoms.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateSep 1, 2022

Dogs with more active owners may get more exercise

A new international study suggests that dog owners who spend more time exercising themselves tend to exercise their dogs more, leading to a perceived ideal body weight. The study found that feeding practices play a main role in owner perception of their dog being overweight, while exercise practices are crucial for an ideal weight.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022

Physical activity may have a stronger role than genes in longevity

A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that higher levels of light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with lower risk of death. In contrast, higher sedentary time was linked to increased mortality risk, regardless of genetic predisposition for longevity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Aging and Physical Activity·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2022

Many types of leisure time activities may lower risk of death for older adults

Older adults who engage in weekly leisure time activities such as walking, jogging, or playing tennis may have a lower risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Achieving recommended physical activity levels through various activities can lead to significant reductions in mortality risk.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

Exercise answer: Research shows it’s how often you do it, not how much

A new study from Edith Cowan University found that exercising six times a day for five days can increase muscle strength by over 10% and improve muscle thickness. The research suggests that daily exercise is more beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and strength, rather than infrequent, longer workouts.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 14, 2022

New insights on how some individuals with obesity can lose weight – and keep it off

A new study suggests that exercise training is crucial for individuals with diet-resistant obesity, improving skeletal muscle metabolism and enhancing weight loss capacity. The research challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to treating obesity and has the potential to help reshape the science of weight-loss programs.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 11, 2022

Combining sauna and exercise lowers cardiovascular disease risk more than just exercise

Combining sauna and exercise for eight weeks improves cardiorespiratory fitness, lowers systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels compared to regular exercise alone. The study found the sauna-exercise combination to be superior in reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 8, 2022

Vegans who lift weights may have stronger bones than other people on a plant-based diet

A recent study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that vegan participants who engaged in regular resistance training had stronger bones than those who did not. The study also showed that vegans and omnivores who performed resistance training had similar bone structure.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2022

Women’s Preventive Services Initiative issues guidelines for preventing obesity in midlife women

The Women's Preventive Services Initiative issues guidelines for preventing obesity in midlife women, recommending counseling on healthy eating and physical activity. The guideline aims to mitigate concerns about weight stigma by normalizing counseling among all midlife women, regardless of BMI status.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 1, 2022

”No pain, no gain” approach improves walking ability with peripheral artery disease

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that walking for exercise at a pace that induces leg pain or discomfort improves walking ability among people with peripheral artery disease. The study involved 264 participants who walked at home at either a comfortable pace or a pace that induced leg symptom...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJul 27, 2022

Yoga app can reduce urinary incontinence

A Rutgers study found that a Yoga of Immortals mobile app significantly improves urinary incontinence symptoms in people practicing for four weeks. The app-based intervention engages the pelvic floor and specific energy centers, leading to reduced frequency and severity of urine leaks.

SourceRutgers University·JournalUrology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 26, 2022

New study finds lowest risk of death was among adults who exercised 150-600 minutes/week

A new study published in the American Heart Association's Circulation Journal found that adults who perform two to four times the currently recommended amount of moderate or vigorous physical activity per week have a significantly reduced risk of mortality. The analysis found that this range of activity resulted in a 21-23% reduction f...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateJul 25, 2022

Psychological resilience linked to better walking capacity after hip surgery

A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with high psychological resilience can walk faster and longer after hip surgery than those with low resilience. Researchers measured resilience through a questionnaire and assessed walking capacity at baseline and 16 weeks later.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 20, 2022

People from low socioeconomic backgrounds could reduce chronic kidney disease risk with regular exercise, study suggests

A study published in The American Journal of Medicine found that regular physical activity can substantially reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease in individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants with higher levels of fitness showed a significantly lower risk of developing the disease, even among those with low soc...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 12, 2022

Can you outrun a poor diet?

A large study found that high levels of physical activity do not offset a poor diet's impact on mortality risk. Those with both high-quality diets and regular exercise had lower mortality rates compared to those with the worst diets.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2022

Changes in child, adolescent physical activity during pandemic

Pooled estimates from 22 international studies indicate a 20% reduction in total daily physical activity among children and adolescents during the pandemic. The findings highlight the need for bolstered access to support and resources related to physical activity to ensure good health and social functioning during pandemic recovery.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJul 11, 2022