Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A global study reveals that physical activity levels dropped by 41% and mental well-being declined by 26% during pandemic-related restrictions. Exercise is known to boost immune function and reduce mortality risk, but too little exercise may contribute to premature deaths.
A study published in Nature Metabolism found that specific proteins in the blood can predict an individual's trainability and response to exercise. The researchers identified 147 proteins related to cardiorespiratory fitness, which improved their ability to predict an individual's change in VO2max.
Scientists used proteomics to study how exercise affects mitochondria in skeletal muscle, revealing that different proteins respond differently to exercise. The research provides unprecedented detail on mitochondrial supercomplexes and their formation in response to exercise training.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that prescribed light exercise had no effect on recovery or healthcare utilization outcomes for patients with acute mild traumatic brain injury. Standard care without early exercise may be a viable option.
A large study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that visual working memory and reasoning tasks improved math skills in young children more than spatial rotation exercises. The study suggests that training the type of cognitive skill matters for academic performance in math.
A new survey found that nearly two-thirds of adults expressed concern about worsening moods during Lockdowns, with coffee helping to lift almost half of their negative moods. The study also revealed that lockdowns had a significant impact on mental health, with twice as many people concerned about mental health than physical inactivity.
A study suggests that pregnant women with gestational diabetes made only modest dietary changes, including a reduction in juice consumption and an increase in artificially sweetened beverages. Disparities were found in certain groups, such as Hispanic women and those with obesity or lower education levels.
Researchers identified multiple ways to achieve the same health benefits from exercise, as long as it includes plenty of light physical activity. The study found that replacing sedentary time with just two minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise is more efficient than replacing it with light physical activity.
A team of McMaster University researchers found that stair-climbing routines provide significant cardiovascular and muscular benefits for heart patients. Brief, vigorous stair-climbing and traditional moderate-intensity exercise both changed fitness levels, which is a key predictor of mortality after a cardiac event.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that both endurance and high-intensity intermittent training improved exercise capacity and brain function in rats. HIIT resulted in increased cellular aerobic capacity and better memory for spatial learning trials.
Researchers at Ural Federal University found that yoga and breathing exercises can improve attention and reduce hyperactivity in children with ADHD. The studies involved 16 children aged six to seven years who received special classes, including diaphragmatic rhythmic deep breathing exercises.
A study found that pink drinks can increase exercise performance by 4.4%, making participants feel more efficient while running. This is attributed to a potential placebo effect, where the drink's color influences perceived sweetness and pleasure.
Research from the University of Cambridge found that autistic adults are more likely to have atypical eating patterns and sleep disturbance, increasing their risk of cardiovascular conditions. The study suggests promoting healthy choices may help reduce excess health risks in autistic adults.
Researchers found significant improvements in exercise capacity, respiratory symptoms, fatigue, and cognition in patients with lasting COVID symptoms after a six-week supervised rehabilitation programme. The study suggests that exercise can be a vital part of patient-centred approaches to treating lingering COVID symptoms.
A new study by University of Copenhagen researchers reveals the key to maintaining long-term weight loss in people with obesity. Combining moderate-intensity exercise with appetite-inhibiting medication yields significant health benefits, including reduced blood sugar levels, improved fitness ratings, and muscle mass preservation.
A study of 1179 children aged 11-12 years found that moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise was 2-6 times more potent than sleep or sedentary time in improving physical and mental health. Exercising 17 minutes more, sleeping an extra 52 minutes, or reducing sitting time by 56 minutes can achieve similar benefits.
People with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are more likely to develop heart attacks and strokes due to chronic inflammation. Regular exercise improves vascular function, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and promoting structural recovery of damaged arteries.
Researchers found that applying deep heat cream before exercise boosts endurance by an average of two minutes in male volunteers. The study suggests that this technique could improve performance in elite and recreational athletes.
A Dartmouth startup has received funding to create a remote-sensing resistance band exercise system that can monitor patient progress and guide healthcare providers in at-home rehabilitation programs. The device aims to bridge the gap between clinicians and patients, increasing compliance rates and reducing unnecessary interventions.
Researchers are conducting a five-year longitudinal study to assess the non-pulmonary aspects of cystic fibrosis and identify barriers to healthy habits. The study aims to generate information on which patients are most likely to develop type 2 diabetes and how diet and exercise can reduce the risk.
A recent study by Kanazawa University researchers found that leg muscle action can improve blood flow independently of age. The study used MRI imaging to measure changes in blood flow and pump action in the legs of healthy volunteers aged 24, 47, and 72 years.
A recent Baycrest study found that engaging in household chores is associated with greater brain volume and improved cognitive health in older adults. Household activities such as tidying, meal preparation, and yard work may contribute to these benefits by promoting neural connections and reducing sedentary behavior.
Low-volume HIIT (less than 20 minutes total exercise time) yields comparable improvements to longer interventions despite requiring significantly less time. This approach is especially beneficial for individuals with busy schedules who struggle to meet current physical activity guidelines.
A new study led by UCSF reveals that maintaining physical activity during young adulthood, especially at higher levels than previously recommended, is crucial in preventing hypertension. Among the four groups, Black men were found to be the most active in early adulthood but saw significant declines in exercise intake by age 60, mirror...
A new study by University at Buffalo researchers found that mindfulness can have both positive and negative effects on social behaviors. While it increases prosocial actions for those who view themselves as more interdependent, it decreases them for those who are more independent. The findings suggest that pairing mindfulness with inst...
A six-week Basketball Mathematics program improved math motivation, self-determination, and mastery among 756 Danish schoolchildren. The study found that students who participated in the program showed a 16% increase in math motivation and a 14% rise in self-determination compared to those who did not participate.
A small clinical trial found that cloth face coverings reduce exercise performance and increase shortness of breath and claustrophobia at higher intensities. The researchers suggest modifying exercise frequency, intensity, duration, and type to compensate for the discomfort associated with mask-wearing.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that regular physical activity significantly reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization, ICU admission, and death. Even inconsistent exercise provided some protection against poor outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that exercise regimen reduced liver steatosis by 9.5%, liver stiffness by 6.8%, and FibroScan-AST Score by 16.4%. Exercise preserved muscle mass, independent of weight loss, and induced anti-inflammatory responses.
A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that exercise can alter the oral environment, favoring less harmful bacteria in people with NAFLD and gum disease. This shift may help reduce inflammation and improve overall health outcomes.
Researchers found that exercise training in mice with human breast cancer grew tumors more slowly and responded better to immunotherapy, with increased anti-tumor immune responses. Exercise also enhanced the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells), which killed cancer cells.
A study from McMaster University found that while people want to improve their mental health through exercise, stress and anxiety often get in the way. The researchers discovered that individuals who reported higher psychological stress and moderate levels of anxiety were less motivated to engage in physical activity.
A new study published in Physiology & Behavior found that exercise and a healthy diet in childhood leads to adults with reduced anxiety levels and increased brain mass. The research also revealed that early-life exercise reduces anxious behaviors in adulthood.
Patients with kidney failure who cycled during dialysis showed improved heart health, including reduced scarring and stiffness of major blood vessels. The study found significant savings in healthcare costs, potentially benefiting the NHS.
A new model in physical therapy education aims to address opioid use disorder by incorporating topics such as women's health, pediatric care, and sports therapy. By understanding the complex interplay between physical activity, pain perception, and addiction, physical therapists can provide holistic care to patients across the lifespan.
A recent study published in Nutrients investigated the influence of exercise on food intake. The results showed that physical activity increased the amount and urgency of food consumption, particularly after exercise. This finding highlights the importance of considering post-exercise eating habits for optimal weight loss.
A new study found that high-intensity exercise with induced ischemic leg pain improves walking performance and distance in people with peripheral artery disease. Participants who walked at a pace causing discomfort showed significant improvements in six-minute walk distance and treadmill time.
A new study found that couples tend to decrease their walking speed when together, especially when holding hands. This decrease in speed can negate some of the health benefits associated with walking alone at a faster pace. On the other hand, older adults who are more active tend to maintain their gait speed.
A new pilot study suggests that restricting calories, reducing fat and sugar intake, and increasing physical activity can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy for older children and adolescents with leukemia. The intervention showed promise in reducing minimal residual disease, a strong predictor of relapse.
A new study found that patients who followed a diet with reduced calories and increased exercise had 70% fewer detectable cancer cells after one month of chemotherapy. This intervention showed promise in increasing survival rates for youth with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer.
Researchers found that body fat percentage is a key predictor of exercise capacity and cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with Type II diabetes. Machine learning approaches were used to analyze data and make accurate predictions.
A new UCLA Health study reveals that middle-aged women's cognitive function does not improve with physical activity, despite its many health benefits. The 21-year study found no association between exercise and slower cognitive decline in three key areas: processing speed, verbal memory, and working memory.
Research suggests that exercise can delay cognitive decline in people with Parkinson's disease who have the APOE e4 gene variant. This study found that greater physical activity at the start of the study reduced APOE e4-related cognitive decline two years later.
Research at Joslin Diabetes Center found that exercise in pregnancy boosts SOD3, a protein linked to glucose metabolism, and improves metabolic health in offspring. Vitamin D also plays a critical role in this process.
The new guidelines aim to address growing concerns of children's sedentary behaviour and promote energetic play while limiting screen use. The guidelines recommend a 3:1 ratio of exercise to sedentary time and suggest that OSHC centres should schedule at least 2-3 hours of physical activities per day.
A randomized controlled experiment found that a 30-minute empathy exercise for probation and parole officers reduced their belief that individuals on probation are likely to reoffend. The intervention also led to a 13% decrease in recidivism rates among those supervised.
Researchers at UT Southwestern found that astronaut Scott Kelly's heart lost an average of 0.74 grams per week during his nearly a year-long stay in space. Despite regular exercise, the heart adapted relatively well and functioned well despite shrinking by about three-tenths of an ounce.
A nationwide study of nearly 1.5 million people found that increasing physical activity in low-to-moderate air pollution areas reduced cardiovascular disease risk by 27%, while decreasing activity increased the risk. In contrast, high air pollution levels saw an increased risk when physical activity exceeded recommended levels.
Aerobic exercise has been shown to lessen several hemodialysis-related symptoms, including restless leg syndrome, symptoms of depression, muscle cramping, and fatigue. However, more research is needed to determine the extent of benefits from aerobic exercise for individuals with kidney failure who are undergoing dialysis.
A 10-week study found no significant difference in strength gains between middle-aged adults consuming moderate- and high-protein diets during resistance training. However, high-protein groups showed changes in gut microbes that were reversed by the intervention.
ECU researchers found that two thirds of participants gave up on their New Year resolutions within the first month. Setting specific resolutions with time, place and/or people is key to sticking to them, according to Professor Joanne Dickson. Flexibility in adapting to changing situations also predicts increased mental wellbeing.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that vigorous exercise enhances sleep quality despite lack of subjective change. Exercise improves slow-wave sleep stability, which may lead to new treatment recommendations for sleep disorders.
A recent study found that older adults in Finland primarily left their homes for physical exercise and walking outdoors during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite government restrictions, these individuals prioritized physical activity over other activities.
The European Society of Cardiology recommends specific exercises for individuals based on their current blood pressure level. For those with hypertension, aerobic exercise is the most effective method to lower blood pressure. For people with high-normal blood pressure, dynamic resistance training is recommended, while those with normal...
A new study by researchers at UT Southwestern shows that exercise programs for older adults with mild memory loss can increase blood flow to their brains. The results add to growing evidence linking exercise with brain health, suggesting that regular aerobic exercise may help improve cognition and memory in healthy older adults.
A new study published in Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that consuming caffeine before aerobic exercise significantly increases fat-burning. The study's results suggest that combining acute caffeine intake with exercise performed at moderate intensity in the afternoon is the optimal scenario for increasi...
Researchers at Oregon State University found that even one session of moderate aerobic exercise increases the cells' ability to burn off fuels. Post-exercise, mitochondria burned 12-13% more fat-based fuel and 14-17% more sugar-based fuel.
A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that drinking electrolyte-enhanced water during and after exercise reduced muscle cramp susceptibility compared to plain water. The researchers suggest that pure water dilutes electrolyte concentration, making muscles more prone to cramps.
New research from the University of Bath found that females who are physically fitter burn fat more efficiently when exercising compared to males. The study analyzed factors influencing body fat burning during endurance sports and explored molecular mechanisms behind sex differences in fuel use.
Research suggests that maternal exercise during pregnancy can prevent the transmission of metabolic diseases from parent to child. The study found that maternal exercise only during pregnancy completely blocked the negative effects of either mother's or father's obesity on the offspring.