Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Why the Nordic hamstring exercise protects against injury

Research shows that nine weeks of Nordic hamstring exercise training increases eccentric knee flexor strength and allows participants to control the exercise through a greater range of motion. The study found that muscle fibers can stretch to longer lengths during exercise without overstretching, reducing injury risk.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2026

Timing exercise to match body clock chronotype may lower cardiovascular disease risk

Research suggests that exercising at a time that matches an individual's natural chronotype (morning or evening alertness) can lower cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that chronotype-aligned exercise improved blood pressure, fasting glucose, cholesterol levels, and sleep quality more effectively than mismatched timing.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOpen Heart·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 14, 2026

Better use of exercise time? Adding resistance training improves strength and aerobic fitness beyond aerobic exercise alone in heart failure

Combining resistance training and aerobic exercises significantly enhances aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and walking distance in heart failure patients. Adding resistance training to aerobic workouts increases muscle strength more than exercising aerobically alone.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 10, 2026

Once active, always active

A new longitudinal study from Université de Montréal finds that three simple movement habits in toddlerhood significantly predict a more physically active lifestyle in adolescence. Active play with parents, limited screen time, and sufficient sleep are key predictors of later physical activity levels.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 9, 2026

Physical activity and appropriate sleep linked to subsequent lower dementia risk

A meta-analysis of millions of community-dwelling adults found that regular physical activity, less sedentary time, and appropriate nightly sleep (7-8 hours) were associated with a lower subsequent risk of dementia. Conversely, too little or too much sleep was linked to an increased risk, highlighting the importance of optimal sleep du...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 8, 2026

Walking is top leisure-time physical activity for US adults

A new study reveals that walking is the most popular leisure-time physical activity among US adults, but urban residents are more likely to meet exercise guidelines. Rural residents tend to prefer activities like gardening and hunting, with lower rates of inactivity and guideline adherence.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateApr 1, 2026

Switching from dulaglutide to tirzepatide boosts patient-reported well-being for people with type 2 diabetes

Researchers found that adults with type 2 diabetes who switched from dulaglutide to tirzepatide reported improved emotional responses and a greater quality of life. The study suggests that tirzepatide may offer broader benefits beyond glucose control, improving patients' physical and emotional well-being.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateMar 30, 2026

Exergames could improve mood in older adults

A systematic review of experimental studies found exergames to be associated with better mood outcomes, including reductions in tension and depressive symptoms. The evidence base remains small and heterogeneous, but the study calls for longer-term interventions and larger samples to determine the durability of benefits.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 25, 2026

Improving heart health may not be enough to protect against Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers found that exercise and aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction improved heart health, but did not produce measurable cognitive benefits over two years in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights a critical gap between vascular risk reduction and brain health.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 23, 2026

Novel study shows physical activity reshapes neural connectivity and makes the brain more resilient after childhood trauma

Research in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging reveals that lifetime physical activity can reshape neural connectivity, strengthening the brain's internal communication and optimizing its response to stress. The study challenges traditional deficit-focused views of adversity, offering a more dynamic and hope...

SourceElsevier·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 17, 2026

Development of build better bones: A global resource for osteoporosis self management

A new platform, Build Better Bones, offers evidence-based guidance and practical resources for osteoporosis management. The platform, developed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation, provides a trusted place for people with osteoporosis to start their journey, with a focus on exercise, nutrition, and home safety.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 16, 2026

To attempt world record, researchers will use their finding that prep phase is most vital to accurate three-point shooting

Researchers from the University of Kansas used motion capture technology to analyze shooting mechanics, finding that greater flexibility in the preparatory phase is crucial for accuracy. The study's findings will be used to attempt a new world record for most consecutive made three-point shots.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 11, 2026

High-intensity interval training boosts muscle power plants

A new study shows that high-intensity interval training increases the number of mitochondria and expands the active membrane, enhancing energy production and potentially improving endurance. The findings, published in the University of Southern Denmark, also suggest that muscle mitochondria are more adaptable than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalDiabetologia·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Increasing fitness leads to bigger brain boost following exercise

A new study by UCL researchers found that increasing physical fitness leads to a bigger release of brain-boosting proteins after just one session of exercise. The 12-week training program improved cognitive function and boosted brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, supporting the formation of new neurons and maintaining brai...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBrain Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Music may not boost focus or mood during exercise, review suggests

A large review of studies found no consistent effect of music on focus or mood during exercise, with results varying depending on intensity and participant characteristics. The findings suggest that broad claims about music's benefits are not always supported and highlight the need for more rigorous study designs.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Shooting sports unlocked: how EEG reveal secrets of shooters

A systematic review categorizes EEG studies in shooting sports into four main directions, revealing brain plasticity principles and neural efficiency mechanisms underlying exceptional performance. Elite shooters exhibit enhanced activation in the right brain hemisphere, synchronizing alpha rhythms to suppress irrelevant thoughts.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalIntelligent Sports and Health·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 26, 2026

Researchers sharpen understanding of how the body responds to energy demands from exercise

A new study published in Science Advances has shed light on how the body responds to energy demands from exercise, identifying a crucial cell signaling mechanism that could lead to a new treatment for diabetes. The research focuses on Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), a regulator of energy production, and reveals...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2026

GLP-1 drugs combined with healthy lifestyle habits linked with reduced cardiovascular risk among diabetes patients

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System found that using GLP-1 receptor agonists in combination with adhering to healthy lifestyle habits significantly reduces cardiovascular risk among individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study showed that these two stra...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Study: Exercise during chemotherapy for breast cancer measurably improves quality of life

A new study shows that exercise during chemotherapy measurably improves quality of life for women with breast cancer, with benefits consistent across physical, emotional and mental health domains. The findings support existing clinical guidelines and provide clarity on the effectiveness of exercise interventions during treatment.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·DateFeb 25, 2026

Brain cells drive endurance gains after exercise

A team of researchers from The Jackson Laboratory and the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that specialized neurons in the brain's hypothalamus play a crucial role in signaling the body to start the recovery process after exercise. These neurons, which express a protein called steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1), become active for a...

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2026

Researchers recommend a verification phase for measuring adolescents’ maximal oxygen uptake

A Finnish study found that verifying adolescents' maximal oxygen uptake requires a brief phase to ensure reliable results. The researchers also discovered that different time averaging strategies can significantly affect the final measurement values, highlighting the need for explicit strategy specification.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateFeb 18, 2026

Sprinting science that rewrites the rulebook

The study reveals that no two sprinters look the same at full speed due to unique interactions between body, environment, and training history. By embracing movement variability and individuality, coaches can create learning environments that allow athletes to discover efficient techniques.

SourceFlinders University·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 16, 2026

Physical inactivity drives a significant share of diabetes complications worldwide; new global study finds

A new global study finds that physical inactivity is a significant driver of diabetes complications, with up to 10% of cases potentially preventable. The research emphasizes the need for tailored approaches to promote physical activity among people with diabetes, particularly addressing social and gender inequalities.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2026