Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A new NYU study found that exercising in nearby parks reduces anxiety and depression, but safety concerns prevent many from using them. The researchers suggest improving park lighting, programs, and community engagement to make parks feel safer.
A study of 800 research papers found that papers with more popular media coverage tend to be more highly cited. The association between media coverage and citations suggests that media attention may influence the likelihood of a paper being cited by subsequent papers.
A new study suggests that exercise can reduce the development of macular degeneration by up to 45% in lab mice. The research also implies that regular physical activity may benefit other causes of vision loss, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Scientists identified specific brain regions linked to humans' sense of agency, finding that brain activity involved in planning and motor monitoring is crucial. By altering this network with transcranial magnetic stimulation, researchers were able to reduce participants' sense of control over their actions.
Researchers examine how walking backward on a treadmill impacts sensory signaling in the brain and body to improve walking in stroke survivors. The study aims to develop more effective walking rehabilitation strategies for those with remaining walking impairment.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers finds that moderate exercise during pregnancy increases a compound in breast milk that reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity in babies. The study also suggests that this beneficial compound can be isolated and added to infant formula.
A review article by Brazilian researchers highlights the risks of short periods of inactivity on the cardiovascular system and recommends exercising at home during the pandemic. Exercise can help control blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life, even for high-risk groups.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology found that Kabuki actors had shorter lifespans compared to other traditional arts performers who led sedentary lifestyles. The study suggests that excessive endurance training and physical activity may overwhelm the beneficial aspects of regular exercise.
Research suggests exercise can slow progression of the debilitating genetic disease by promoting mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress in mouse models.
Research shows that just one 60-minute bout of exercise can shift the muscle clocks of mice by around an hour, influencing circadian rhythms. This discovery highlights the potential of exercise as a treatment for conditions like heart disease, where disrupted body clocks are a contributing factor.
A free web resource improved men's health behaviours, including eating habits and exercise, with 75% reporting changes in their diets and 70% engaging in sports. The study found significant positive changes among regular users of the site, even without access to fitness facilities.
Research from McMaster University suggests that high-intensity interval training can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in people with spinal cord injuries, matching the benefits of longer bouts of moderate intensity exercise. The study also found that HIIT is generally tolerable and poses few risks for this population.
A study found that older adults who engage in light physical activity and spread it throughout the day have a lower risk of developing major mobility disability. The researchers recommend building strength and balance first, then increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity, and finally adding light activity.
Research published by the European Society of Cardiology found that tai chi was linked to a boost in both mood and quality of life for patients with coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and stroke. The study also found that tai chi was associated with better mental health quality of life and reduced depression.
A study published in Oncotarget found that physical activity can modulate miRNAs involved in breast cancer progression, leading to reduced cancer cell viability. The researchers identified two specific miRNAs, miR-206 and anti-miR-30c, which showed promising results as non-invasive biomarkers for breast cancer prevention.
Researchers found that a single intense bike ride increases Ubiquitin tagging on worn-out proteins, leading to their degradation and removal. This process helps maintain muscle health and function by replacing damaged proteins with new ones.
A new Stanford Medicine study provides a comprehensive analysis of the molecular effects of exercise, shedding light on how physical fitness is determined at a molecular level. The research reveals a strong correlation between specific molecules and an individual's aerobic fitness, paving the way for the development of a blood test tha...
A new study finds that encouraging people to mimic successful exercise strategies used by their friends increases time spent exercising. Copy-paste prompts, a simple and costless nudge, can boost goal achievement in various domains.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are developing an exercise app to support family carers' physical and mental well-being. The app aims to provide accessible, evidence-based exercise guidance and encourage regular activity among busy carers.
A comprehensive analysis of exercise and its protective role for high-risk breast cancer patients reveals that even a modest amount of exercise can be beneficial, reducing the risk of cancer recurrence by 55%, and death by 68%. The study found that starting exercise after treatment also offers significant survival benefits.
High blood pressure during and after exercise is associated with a higher risk of hypertension, preclinical cardiovascular disease, and death in middle-aged to older adults. Regular physical activity and monitoring blood pressure numbers can help lower this risk.
Regular endurance training and good fitness levels protect against serious cardiovascular events and early mortality for people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The study found that participants with the lowest calculated fitness levels had the highest mortality risk, but those who met physical activity recommendations lived longer.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 international clinical trials found that yoga eases depressive symptoms compared to usual treatment, self-help, or no current treatment. The more weekly sessions completed, the greater the effects on easing depressive symptoms.
New research from the University of South Australia shows that movement-based yoga can significantly improve mental health for individuals with a range of mental disorders. The study, which examined 19 studies across six countries, found incremental benefits with increased yoga practice.
Children perceive coercion as reducing exercise motivation, while parent-child interaction, acceptance of lack of motivation, and participation in activities increase enthusiasm. Parents can support exercise motivation by taking into account children's interests and providing flexible boundaries for screen time.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that online exercise advice rarely matches the national Physical Activity Guidelines, which advise adults to engage in moderate aerobic activity for at least 150 minutes per week. The study analyzed fitness recommendations from various websites and found that professional associations w...
Researchers found that six months of aerobic exercise improved executive function and verbal fluency by 5.7% and 2.4%, respectively. Blood flow to the brain increased significantly with exercise, associated with modest but significant improvements in thinking abilities.
People with ACL injuries can lose up to 40% of muscle strength due to muscle atrophy. A new University of Michigan study found that adding eccentric exercises to physical therapy can increase muscle volume and improve outcomes.
Researchers provide guidance on resuming intense exercise training after COVID-19 infection, emphasizing the importance of gradual progression and medical clearance. Athletes and highly active individuals can follow these recommendations to minimize risk of cardiac complications and return to sports safely.
A study of nearly 200,000 Medicare patients found that starting pulmonary rehabilitation within 90 days of COPD hospitalization significantly improves one-year survival. Pulmonary rehabilitation combines exercise training and self-management education.
Researchers found that consuming potato protein isolate increased the rate at which muscles made new protein in young women, highlighting its potential as a plant-based alternative for supporting muscle maintenance. The study suggests that current dietary recommendations may be inadequate to support muscle growth and development.
A recent UBC Okanagan study shows that progressive-resistance exercises can be effective in altering the path to frailty. Seniors who participated in a 12-week free weight exercise program improved their muscle performance and became less frail, without injury.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified key neurological modifications following sustained exercise, leading to improved learning for motor-skill acquisition. Exercise has been shown to promote neurotransmitter switching, which enhances motor coordination and skill learning.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that strenuous exercise does not increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis and may even protect against it. Adults at high risk for knee OA were 30% less likely to develop OA through vigorous physical activity participation.
A study by Rutgers professor and medical student found that combining meditation with aerobic exercise reduces stress and rumination while enhancing the quality of life for medical students. The intervention, MAP Train My Brain, was developed by Shors and has shown positive outcomes in reducing stress and improving overall health.
A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that incorporating cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) into traditional risk factor assessments improves mortality risk prediction accuracy. CRF was strongly associated with a lower risk of mortality, particularly when combined with age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking.
A one-hour exercise increasing feelings of social belonging in college students appears to significantly improve their lives and careers up to eleven years later. The study found that targeted psychological intervention can be an important tool to interrupt generational sociocultural disadvantages.
A college social belonging exercise has long-term benefits for black students' career satisfaction, well-being, and community involvement. The intervention helped students understand that worries about belonging are common and can be addressed through support from professors and friends.
Research reveals women's smaller airways require more work to breathe, unlike men, who have larger airways that reduce resistance. This finding may contribute to differences in asthma and COPD experiences between sexes.
A study published in Science Advances found that exercise during pregnancy stimulates the production of brown adipose tissue in fetuses, leading to improved metabolic health and reduced obesity. The findings suggest that physically fit women exercising during pregnancy may be setting their children up for better fitness too.
Research suggests exercise can prevent or reduce severity of ARDS, a major cause of death in COVID-19 patients. Regular physical activity increases production of antioxidant EcSOD, which may provide protection against severe respiratory disease.
The American Thoracic Society recommends LABA/LAMA combination therapy for COPD patients experiencing dyspnea or exercise intolerance. This guideline also suggests considering triple therapy and withdrawing inhaled corticosteroids if no exacerbations occur.
A new study found that exercise can prevent the development of liver cancer in obese mice with fatty liver disease. The research suggests that voluntary exercise exerts its protective effects via molecular signaling pathways, including tumor suppressor gene p53 and stress-activated protein kinase JNK1.
A Stanford study found that exercise restores youthful properties to muscle stem cells of old mice, improving their repair capabilities. The researchers identified a molecular pathway involved in this process and suggest that drugs targeting this pathway could be an effective substitute for exercise.
A recent study published in Cardiovascular Research found that exercise has a profound impact on metabolism, leading to dramatic changes in metabolites related to energy production and waste elimination. The research also identified a specific metabolite called DMGV that may predict who does not benefit from exercise.
A new study published by Oxford University Press USA found that mat Pilates training significantly reduces arterial stiffness and blood pressure in young obese women with elevated blood pressure. The study, which included 12 weeks of mat Pilates training, also found a decrease in body fatness.
A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that people with very poor fitness at the beginning of a behavioral weight loss program lose less weight in the long term. Adults with poor or better fitness lost nearly twice as much weight over 18 months compared to those with very poor fitness.
A study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that exercising women with menstrual disorders can start menstruating again by consuming an additional 300-400 calories a day. This strategy is easy to implement with the help of a nutritionist and avoids complications from drug therapy.
Researchers found that exercise only improves muscle strength when specific muscle cells age, report Hokkaido University scientists. A cell-aging drug combined with exercise restored FAP aging and improved muscle function and regeneration in mice with chronic inflammatory myopathy.
Patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent supervised exercise training showed significantly improved heart function and increased cardiovascular fitness compared to those on a low-energy diet. A low-energy diet, however, led to favourable effects on the structure of the heart and reversal of diabetes in 83% of participants.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology designed a set of stabilisation exercises aimed at strengthening muscles supporting the spine. The program was tested on 70 volunteers and found to eliminate lower back pain for 12 weeks, 3 times longer than usual muscle strengthening exercise programs.
The updated guidelines recommend avoiding prolonged overhydration during exercise and encouraging individuals to drink according to their thirst. This approach aims to prevent exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) and its potential life-threatening outcomes.
A recent experiment published in Frontiers in Psychology found that following a motivational Instagram account increased participants' enjoyment of exercise. The researchers tested how social media can help with training and found that targeted motivation via Instagram postings had a significant positive effect, relying on scientific p...
Researchers discovered that competing against an idealised avatar negatively impacts physical performance, whereas a realistic avatar increases motivation and improves outcomes. The study suggests that exergame designers should use realistic avatar customisation to enhance player experience and performance.
Researchers discovered that bones change shape in response to forces, curving to prevent fractures. The study used computational methods to monitor shape changes over an extended period, finding that the curving process needs to be highly targeted and can lead to a built-in warning mechanism.
A study led by James Cook University found that supervised exercise sessions can reduce the negative side effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer patients. The research showed sustained benefits in cardiovascular risk profile and quality of life, but not in cardiopulmonary fitness and fatigue.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that women with heart disease often face barriers to cardiac rehabilitation due to lack of time, social support and transportation issues. The authors identified ways to modernize cardiac rehabilitation by offering enjoyable physical activities, flexible class tim...
A preliminary study found that people who engage in regular physical activity have bigger brains than their inactive peers. The results showed that those who were most active had larger total brain volume, equivalent to nearly four years of brain aging slower, compared to the inactive group.
A new mobile app has been shown to reduce osteoarthritis pain and improve physical function in patients by an average of 43% over six months. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used a mobile app to track daily exercises and provide information on the disease, with results exceeding expectations.
A new study has found that music therapy sessions have a positive effect on the neurorehabilitation of acute stroke patients. The research, conducted at Anglia Ruskin University, showed that NMT helped improve mood regulation, concentration, and brain function through neural reorganisation.