Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
Polyendocrine Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) impacts 13% of women, causing hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and chronic pain. Lifestyle interventions, particularly diet and exercise, show benefits for physical and mental health outcomes.
A large-scale international study found that spending time in nature is associated with greater life satisfaction due to increased self-compassion and positive body image. The study also identified a pathway through which nature contact helps people feel restored, leading to improved mental wellbeing.
Research found that people with obesity experience fewer pleasant emotions during exercise and are more likely driven by external motives. Positive emotional experiences and intrinsic motivational factors explain both physical activity levels and future exercise intentions.
Aerobic exercise consistently demonstrates robust reductions in ambulatory blood pressure, while combined exercise and HIIT show promising results. The findings suggest that resistance training should be viewed as a complementary strategy to lower high blood pressure.
A pilot study suggests that physical exercise can support stem cell donation by releasing specific types of blood stem cells into the bloodstream. The exercise stimulus increases stem cell numbers only moderately, but may offer a more targeted approach than medication.
A simple 30-second sit-to-stand test can estimate muscle power and identify individuals at higher risk of hospitalization and mortality. The test revealed a strong association between low muscle power and increased risks of falls, fractures, hospitalizations, and mortality in older adults.
A global study published in Nature Human Behaviour analyzed data from over 8,000 participants to investigate the connection between physical activity and emotional well-being. The results showed that mood improves with everyday movement, and people are more physically active when they feel better.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research found that increasing daily step count to around 8,500 can help prevent weight regain in people with overweight or obesity. Participants who increased their steps during the weight loss phase and maintained this level over time lost less weight and regained less weight.
A systematic review found that structured exercise programs can modestly improve quit success, while a single bout of exercise can rapidly reduce nicotine cravings. Exercise type and intensity may also play a role in reducing cravings.
Children who engaged in regular outdoor play had lower sedentary time and higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adulthood, while those experiencing exercise restrictions during childhood had lower adult physical activity levels. These findings support personalized lifestyle interventions for patients with CHD.
A systematic review finds that a combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises significantly improves cardiovascular outcomes in healthy adults. The optimal exercise duration is found to be between 40-60 minutes per week, with evening aerobic exercise showing greater health benefits.
A new study suggests that fitspiration content on social media can lead to negative self-esteem, unhealthy dieting, and exercise habits among young adults. Researchers analyzed 26 studies involving 6,111 individuals across seven countries, finding that even brief exposure to idealized images can trigger harmful comparisons.
High-intensity interval training shows strongest vascular benefits in cardiovascular patients. HIIE consistently improves flow-mediated dilation and vasodilation, with combined high-intensity programs showing the largest estimated effects on endothelial function.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution found that optimal birth weight for minimal kidney damage during extreme endurance events is around eight pounds. Individuals with lower or higher birth weights may face a greater risk of kidney stress or damage.
Research suggests that high-intensity exercise is most effective in reducing sleep disturbances among older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Light activity also shows some benefits, while moderate exercise has little impact. Tailored exercise programs could help prolong quality of life for this growing demographic.
A new clinical trial reveals that a 10-minute daily supine exercise program enhances body balance and agility by linking trunk stability with lower extremity coordination. The study shows significant improvements within two weeks, highlighting the potential benefits of this simple yet effective exercise routine.
Researchers found that exercising to self-selected music boosts endurance by nearly 20%, allowing individuals to tolerate sustained effort for longer. Participants cycled for an average of 35.6 minutes with music versus 29.8 minutes in silence, with no change in heart rate or lactate levels at the finish.
A new review found that lifestyle behaviors like physical activity and diet can positively modulate the gut microbiome of cancer patients, but these effects are often influenced by non-modifiable variables. The study also highlighted the role of intrinsic patient characteristics in shaping microbial composition.
A study using mice and simulations found that abdominal contractions compress blood vessels connected to the spinal cord and brain, enabling gentle brain movement that facilitates cerebrospinal fluid flow and potentially removes neural waste. This mechanism may explain why exercise is thought to benefit brain health.
A study on elite male football players found that athletes of Black ethnicity, particularly those from West and Central African regions, exhibited more pronounced repolarisation abnormalities and structural remodelling. The findings suggest that treating athletes of Black ethnicity as a single group may oversimplify clinically meaningf...
A new American Heart Association scientific statement recommends that children and adolescents with certain heart conditions participate in physical activities after a detailed individualized risk assessment. Light-to-moderate intensity exercise may be suitable to maintain physical fitness and quality of life, while structured physical...
Muscle size, strength, and performance can be improved without exhausting exercises. Eccentric exercises, which involve lengthening muscles during movement, generate more force with less energy than traditional exercises.
Researchers found strong evidence for supplements like beta-alanine, caffeine, carbohydrates, and creatine monohydrate to improve cycling performance. Supplements also support recovery, bone health, and immunity.
A new study reveals a post-pandemic cycling boom in major cities, with fatality rates dropping by up to 88% in Paris, 82% in London, and 62% in New York City. The improvement is attributed to the expansion and improvement of cycling infrastructure, including cycleways separated from motor vehicle traffic.
Researchers from Duke University analyzed data from over 50,000 Fitbit users across four states and found that daylight saving time does not affect overall daily step counts. However, they did notice a shift in steps taken between morning and evening, likely due to adjustments made to match the new daylight availability.
The European Society of Endocrinology organizes World Hormone Day to educate the public about hormone-related health issues. Global endocrine disorders affect millions worldwide, emphasizing the need for proper hormone balance.
Prenatal stress alters signaling pathways involving corticosteroids in brown fat tissue, potentially blunting the metabolic benefits of exercise. The study highlights the importance of considering maternal stress context in developmental metabolic programming.
A study found that higher midlife cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly associated with later onset of chronic disease, lower overall disease burden, and longer life expectancy. Adults with higher fitness levels developed fewer chronic diseases and spent more years free from serious illness.
A national poll suggests that one in three parents report their young adult children are minimally active or inactive, with lack of interest and screen time being major barriers. Parents often try to encourage physical activity through verbal encouragement, activities, and exercising together, but many efforts are not successful.
A Phase II trial found that exercise can improve cognitive function in patients receiving chemotherapy, while low-dose ibuprofen may also have some benefits. The study suggests that exercise is more effective in improving cognitive outcomes, but further research is needed to explore the effects of ibuprofen and combination therapy.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology has several active trials specifically designed to help people with head and neck cancers. Trials include testing high-dose prophylactic gabapentin to prevent opioid use during treatment, as well as immunotherapy with nivolumab and cabozantinib for mucosal melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcino...
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.
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.
A new study shows that poststroke environmental enrichment reduces chronic inflammation and promotes sustained sensorimotor recovery in mice. The study found that enriched environment mice had better neurological scores and stronger recovery compared to standard environment mice.
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.
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.
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...
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.
A review of international studies found that regular physical activity, a Mediterranean-style diet, and stress management can help reduce endometriosis-related pain and improve quality of life. The study also introduces the fasting-mimicking diet as a potential approach for managing gynecological conditions.
A new international study by Adelaide University researchers found that genetics influence how lifestyle-behavioural factors impact ageing. Healthier ageing is associated with greater physical activity, better diet, and higher educational attainment, while smoking and suboptimal sleep duration have negative effects.
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.
Research found that people who spend a higher proportion of their total physical activity doing vigorous activity have substantially lower risks of all eight serious health conditions. The benefits of vigorous activity remained even when the amount of time was modest.
A review highlights the importance of healthy lifestyles in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Adhering to optimal lifestyle factors, such as a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep, can dramatically lower disease incidence.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that consistently meeting physical activity guidelines throughout middle age reduces women's risk of dying from any cause by half. The study, which tracked over 11,000 Australian women, also found strong benefits for cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality.
A UTEP study reveals that six weeks of boxing training can reduce blood pressure and improve vascular function in young adults with elevated blood pressure or Stage 1 hypertension. The results show significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, comparable to those achieved through medication.
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.
A study found that high screen time and low physical activity are strongly linked with cardiovascular risk among young adults. Screen time was independently associated with markers of cardiovascular risk, even after accounting for differences in daily physical activity.
A multicenter randomized clinical trial found no significant differences in cognitive improvement between exercise, intensive pharmacological reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, or both in older adults. The study results challenge current recommendations on lifestyle modifications for dementia prevention.
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.
Adolescents who replaced half an hour of sedentary behaviors with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or sleep showed a 15% lower insulin resistance. This study highlights the importance of being active early in life for long-term health, aligning with the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 metrics.
A 45-year study found that early life leisure-time physical activity is linked to better work ability in late adulthood. Higher levels of activity throughout the lifespan contribute significantly to work ability, with a dose-response association observed in late adulthood.
Professional dancers experience high levels of physical strain and ergonomic stress, with 25% developing osteoarthritis by their late twenties. The study suggests optimizing training sessions, flooring, and organizational changes to reduce injury risk and wear-related conditions.
Research suggests that limiting sedentary time to eight hours and increasing light physical activity to seven hours a day can reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. The study found incremental associations between more physical activity and lower risk of developing preeclampsia or gestational hypertension.
Regular morning exercise is associated with lower rates of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and obesity compared to later-day exercise. Morning exercise timing may be an underappreciated aspect of cardiometabolic health.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a high-quality diet, moderate exercise, and low alcohol consumption, was associated with lower cardiometabolic disease risk. The study found that adhering to these healthy behaviors reduced the risk of major cardiometabolic diseases independent of medication use.
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...
The new guidelines, based on 137 systematic reviews, emphasize the importance of consistency and effort in resistance training. The primary goal for most adults should be to build a consistent routine, which can be achieved with elastic bands, bodyweight training, or home-based routines.
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.
Researchers found that patients who followed an exercise prescription while receiving chemotherapy reported fewer problems with thinking and memory and felt less mentally tired. The study suggests that exercise may help people with cancer stay mentally sharp and better able to handle daily tasks.
The study highlights the importance of personalized features in healthcare apps to promote physical activity. Key findings include the need for educational components, timely feedback, and tailored exercise suggestions to support users' daily routines and work demands.