Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A study found that resistance exercise improved sleep duration and efficiency, while aerobic exercise had limited effects. The findings suggest that incorporating resistance training into one's routine may help promote better sleep and improve overall cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that long-term daily cocoa consumption didn't improve exercise-induced digestive issues in male athletes. Only minor changes to their gut microbiomes were observed, indicating cocoa is not an effective exercise supplement.
A study by Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that exposure to vegetation is associated with lower levels of oxidative stress in children. The association was observed regardless of the children's physical activity levels, suggesting that green spaces may have a direct impact on biological processes.
A pooled data analysis found that between 30 and 60 minutes of muscle strengthening activity per week is associated with a 10-17% lower risk of death from any cause. The J-shaped curve showed no conclusive evidence that more than an hour of this activity reduces the risk further.
Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered that deactivating the Piezo1 protein, a blood flow sensor, reduces muscle capillary density and restricts blood flow to muscles. This results in reduced exercise capability and increased risk of disease, highlighting the crucial link between physical activity and physical performance.
A study of Finnish agility dogs reveals differences in training and competing between dog sizes and skill categories. Most dogs trained for under 20 minutes per week, but those at the highest level trained less to maintain their skills.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that fewer than half of K-12 physical educators use high-quality instruction practices for students with disabilities. The majority of teachers were highly qualified, but lacked specific training in adaptive physical education, leading to many disabled students being excluded from PE cl...
Researchers identified two key factors regulating the exercise stress response pathway. Arginine vasopressin and corticotrophin-releasing hormone cooperatively control adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion, playing a crucial role in the physiological stress response.
An analysis of over 11,000 older Japanese adults found that current dog owners were approximately half as likely to have a disability. Regular exercise among dog owners further reduced the risk. In contrast, cat ownership showed no association with increased or decreased disability risk.
A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that office workers in Japan perceive physical activity as important for their health. To increase activity levels, workplace strategies include evidence-based health education, standing desks, and incentive programs.
New Penn State research found that the maximum wet-bulb temperature for humans is lower than previously thought, at around 31°C in warm-humid environments. This finding has significant implications for planning and preparing for extreme heat events.
Exercise interventions delivered in primary care appear to boost moderate to vigorous intensity activity by an average of 14 minutes a week. Participants also weighed 1 kg less than controls at follow-up, highlighting the critical role of primary care professionals in promoting healthy behavior changes.
Researchers found that daily life movement, including housework and self-care activities, significantly benefits cardiovascular health. Women with at least four hours of daily life movement had a 43% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, 62% lower risk of cardiovascular disease death.
A supervised exercise program can reduce anxiety and fear of cancer progression in men undergoing active surveillance for prostate cancer. The study found significant improvements in mental and physical health benefits, including a reduction in prostate cancer-related anxiety and fear of progression.
A new University of Copenhagen study reveals that well-functioning fat tissue is crucial for overall health and may help prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity. High levels of lifelong exercise have been shown to improve mitochondrial function in fat cells, reducing oxidative stress and damage.
A new study led by the University of Pittsburgh psychologists has found that regular exercise can help older adults prevent declines in episodic memory. The research pooled data from dozens of studies to show that exercising about three times a week for at least four months is effective in improving memory.
A study of over 1,200 agility dogs found that core strength exercises and balance activities can lower the risk of cranial cruciate ligament ruptures. Dogs that engage in high-level agility events and flyball are at higher risk, while those with certain breeds and age factors may also be more prone to injury.
A recent OSU study found that engaging in leisure activities can help lower the risk of depression and improve mental well-being during the pandemic. The results showed that people who reported higher stress also engaged more in their preferred leisure activity, which served as a protective buffer.
A new study using blood samples from professional soccer players reveals that headers affect brain activity by altering microRNAs, which can serve as biomarkers for brain injury. The research also explores the effects of accidental head impacts and high-intensity exercise on microRNA levels.
A study of 3099 older Italians found that increasing physical activity levels between 65-75 years old can lower cardiovascular disease risks in late old age. Maintaining an active lifestyle over time was associated with a 52% lower risk of cardiovascular disease among men.
Researchers found that 90 minutes of mild-to-moderate intensity exercise after a flu or COVID-19 vaccination increased antibody production in the following four weeks. The study involved participants who exercised on a stationary bike or took a brisk walk, and similar results were seen in mice experiments.
Seventy- to eighty-year-olds who train for better fitness demonstrate better problem-solving skills and reduced cognitive decline. Regular physical activity is linked to increased brain health, including faster reaction times and improved working memory.
A new poll found that less than half of people aged 50-80 have ever used a health-related app, with those in poor health and lower incomes being even less likely. Only 28% of current users share information with healthcare providers, highlighting the potential for apps to support health behaviors and improve outcomes.
A recent study from Edith Cowan University found that even brief periods of weightlifting, such as three seconds a day, can increase muscle strength. The research involved 39 healthy university students performing isometric, concentric, or eccentric bicep curls for three seconds daily over four weeks.
Regular exercise boosts tear quantity and film stability to relieve dry eye symptoms. Studies show even low-intensity activity can improve ocular health.
A new study published in NEJM Evidence reveals that exercise and patient education can provide similar results as surgery for young people with meniscal tears. The research compared surgical and non-surgical treatment options among 121 young individuals and found no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups.
A comparative trial found that exercise 'prehab' significantly enhanced tumour shrinkage and downstaging in patients with operable oesophageal cancer. The study showed improved skeletal muscle mass, reduced visceral fat, and a stronger immune response in the prehab group compared to conventional care.
A moderate exercise programme was shown to improve chemotherapy success rates and reduce negative side effects in oesophageal cancer patients. The study found that exercise can be safely included as part of cancer treatment, potentially benefiting more patients.
A new study found that daily physical activity increases executive function performance in people aged 50-74, while decreased activity leads to lower cognitive performance. The correlation held even after adjusting for various co-morbidities.
Physical activity monitors provide direct feedback, leading to small to moderate increases in daily steps (1,235 extra steps) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (50 extra minutes per week). The evidence suggests these devices may be useful for adults who don't meet recommended activity levels.
Researchers from China use digitalized flow rates to study the effect of exercise on plaque formation in carotid arteries, which carry blood to the head and neck. The study investigates how geometrical features of the arteries affect plaque formation and finds that exercising decreases reversed flow volume in older age groups.
Researchers found that moderate aerobic cycling improved auditory verbal learning and processing speed, as well as increased volumes of the hippocampus and cerebellar cortex. The study suggests exercise interventions may be an attractive option for improving cognitive function in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that increased physical activity can prevent approximately 3.8 million deaths among US adults aged 40 to 85. By analyzing data from accelerometers worn by study participants, researchers estimated the potential number of deaths prevented through regular physical activity.
A recent study has found that older adults who scored higher on a fatigue scale were more than twice as likely to die within 2.7 years compared to those with lower scores. Researchers say this can serve as an indicator for earlier mortality and encourage people to stick with exercise goals.
A study published in Aging Cell found that late-life exercise can reverse skeletal muscle epigenetic aging in mice, making them appear 8 weeks younger than sedentary mice of the same age. The researchers used a weighted exercise wheel to stimulate muscle growth and reduce DNA methylation, a biological process linked to aging.
A study found that a daily supplement of urolithin A improved muscle function and reduced inflammation in older adults. The supplement, produced by gut bacteria, was shown to stimulate mitophagy, a process that recycles damaged mitochondria.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered that mitochondria do not function properly in patients with post-COVID syndrome, leading to debilitating symptoms. The study's findings may lead to treatments for patients struggling with fluctuating heart rates, extreme fatigue and memory issues.
Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to strengthen brain networks between spared regions, improve grey-matter volume, and enhance movement control in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The study published in Annals of Neurology suggests that exercise can stimulate compensatory capacity in the brain, leading to reduced symptoms.
A comprehensive study of exercise performed at different times of the day has identified distinct health-promoting signaling molecules produced by the body in an organ-specific manner. The findings suggest that exercising at the right time can optimize health benefits, particularly for individuals at risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at West Virginia University are investigating the link between chronic stress and Alzheimer's disease using animal models. They aim to understand how xanthine oxidase may sabotage brain blood vessels in Alzheimer's patients, and explore whether a medication can block this pathway to keep the brain healthy.
Researchers discovered how different tissues respond to exercise at various times of day, influencing sleep, memory, and metabolic homeostasis. The 'Atlas of Exercise Metabolism' provides a comprehensive map of exercise-induced signaling molecules present in different tissues following exercise.
A Canadian study of COVID-19 patients over 50 years old found a significant association between the diagnosis and decreased functional mobility. Despite initial declines, physical function largely returned to pre-pandemic levels within six months.
A new study suggests that regular exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease in people with early-stage symptoms. Those who engaged in moderate exercise for at least four hours a week experienced less trouble balancing, walking, and performing daily activities over time.
A new 3D-printed wearable sweat sensor developed at SFU can analyze chemicals and health information in sweat to assess hydration, stress, and nutrition levels. The non-invasive technology has the potential to become a widely accessible sample type for monitoring human health status.
The International Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry (ICRR) is designed to assess the quality of cardiac rehab programs worldwide, improving patient outcomes. The registry enables programs in low- and middle-income countries to benchmark their services against international standards.
Daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity were found to be associated with cancer survival, according to a study published in JAMA Oncology. The researchers observed that higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of sitting time were linked to improved survival rates among cancer patients.
A new study finds that exercise interventions can significantly improve physical activity levels, decrease sedentary time, and reduce asthma symptoms in individuals with asthma. Digital interventions, such as video appointments and mobile apps, may help overcome barriers to participation.
Researchers found that training at low intensity can be just as effective as high-intensity training in improving endurance and technique. Elite male cross-country skiers trained for several hours, with the majority of their sessions taking place at low intensity.
A new study published in Royal Society Open Science found that amputee sprinters using prostheses have no clear competitive advantage at the 400-meter distance compared to non-amputees. In fact, they appear to have a significant disadvantage at the start, with athletes using prosthetic legs being 40% slower out of the starting blocks a...
A national study found that only 9% of teens met the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day during the pandemic, a decline from 16% pre-pandemic. Physical inactivity was linked to poorer mental health and higher stress levels.
A new study published in the Journal of Oncology found that breast cancer patients treated at hospitals and health systems with integrative health services have a better chance of survival. These services include complementary and lifestyle therapies, such as nutrition and exercise counseling, in addition to medical cancer treatments.
A small study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that exercising at high altitude can lead to lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes. This may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Individuals with high-risk prediabetes significantly improved their blood glucose levels through more exercise and healthy eating behavior, while those at low risk showed limited benefits from conventional lifestyle intervention. The study's findings support personalized interventions tailored to each patient's risk profile for effecti...
Exercise modifies the adaptation of the liver to increased energy intake, regulating enzymes for glucose and fructose degradation. Regular physical activity also improves glucose control and reduces fat storage in the liver, offering a comprehensive insight into molecular adaptations to high-energy diets.
A pilot study of exercise and cognition in progressive multiple sclerosis found that cardiorespiratory fitness and free-living physical activity were not associated with improved cognitive performance. The study, which analyzed data from 240 individuals with progressive MS, suggests that other mechanisms may be at play.
A study of 62,000 adults aged 65+ found that increased physical activity, including light-intensity levels, lowered dementia risk. Regular physical activity may help prevent or delay dementia onset in older age.
Researchers from Monash University have discovered an enzyme called NOX-4 that enhances insulin responsiveness and promotes metabolic health. This discovery has opened up the possibility of developing drugs to target this enzyme and protect against age-related diseases like type 2 diabetes.
The Medical University of South Carolina's Boeing Center for Children's Wellness offers a menu of wellness initiative options that schools can tailor to their needs. Schools with health professionals on the wellness committee implement 25% more initiatives, leading to a culture change and increased student participation.
Researchers discovered that appealing to athletes' sense of 'future guilt' through psychological intervention was a more powerful initial reaction than education programmes highlighting the risks of doping. The study also found that receiving useful information about doping strengthened athletes' confidence to resist temptation.
A new study found that air pollution in areas with high levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide can negate the benefits of vigorous physical activity on certain markers of brain disease. This includes reduced white matter hyperintensities and gray matter volume, indicating poorer brain health.