Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found sarcolipin increases muscle energy expenditure and fat oxidization by uncoupling calcium ion transporter SERCA activity. This leads to increased mitochondrial biogenesis and fat burning, potentially helping people with obesity and type 2 diabetes
Research by UPNA finds that muscle strength training can reverse age-related muscle loss and improve cardiovascular health. The study emphasizes the importance of considering physical exercise as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases.
A randomized clinical trial found that a Tai Ji Qan balance training program was more effective than other exercise programs in reducing falls among older adults at high risk. The study included 670 participants and lasted six months, with results suggesting improved fall prevention through the specific focus on balance training.
A study presented at the American Heart Association's Joint Hypertension 2018 Scientific Sessions found that lifestyle changes, including a healthier diet and regular exercise, can greatly decrease the number of patients who need blood pressure-lowering medicine. By making these changes, nearly half of participants were able to reduce ...
A Massachusetts General Hospital study shows that exercise induces neurogenesis and improves cognition in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Exercise mimics the beneficial effects of physical activity on cognitive function by creating a more hospitable brain environment for new neurons to survive.
New research highlights the risks of cardiovascular disease in even the fittest middle-aged athletes, who often don't exhibit symptoms. Regular health check-ups and moderate exercise are crucial for prevention, according to study findings published in BMJ Open.
A new study found that obesity blunts post-workout muscle building and repair in young adults. The research showed that obese individuals had reduced rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis after a weightlifting session compared to normal-weight peers.
Endurance athletes show more left atrial fibrosis than non-athletes, with the condition linked to a higher risk of arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. The study suggests that increased left atrial fibrosis may help explain the higher incidence of arrhythmias in endurance athletes.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation - Insight found that cardio exercise increases the production of the hormone FGF21, which has positive effects on metabolism. In contrast, strength training with weights had no significant impact on this hormone or another muscle-building hormone called FGF19.
A new study suggests that performing simple leg exercises while lying down can help prevent impairment of blood vessel function caused by a sedentary lifestyle. The research found that even a brief period of inactivity reduced the ability to rapidly increase blood flow to the lower legs.
A study found that 12 weeks of aerobic and strength-based exercise reduces symptoms and levels of fatigue in patients with chronic kidney disease. Exercise also improves blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetic control, making it a beneficial treatment option for patients with CKD.
A nine-month resistance training intervention improved exercise motivation and planning in older adults, with nearly half continuing independently. Participants who increased intrinsic motivation and confidence maintained twice-a-week training
Researchers at the University of Bath found that eating breakfast before exercise increases the body's ability to burn carbohydrates during exercise. This also leads to faster digestion and metabolism of food eaten after exercise.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology suggests that exercise can help people exposed to extreme temperatures protect themselves from muscle fatigue. Exercise builds-up muscle in the limbs, allowing it to shiver longer and maintain core temperature for longer.
A new study found that US adults are largely unaware of the link between low physical activity and increased cancer risk. The researchers suggest raising public awareness to focus on the health benefits of regular exercise beyond just heart health.
A study of 1.2 million people in the USA found that regular exercise reduces poor mental health days by 43.2%. Exercise types and duration played a significant role in this association, with team sports, cycling, and aerobics having the biggest reductions.
Regular aerobic exercise decreases stress-induced cocaine-seeking behavior and alters physiological responses to stress. Exercise also elevates mood and reduces anxiety associated with withdrawal.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that physically active severely obese individuals had a significantly lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation. In contrast, those who were inactive or exercised little experienced a doubling of this risk. The study suggests that regular physical activi...
Researchers discovered a protein called JNK that drives response to exercise, stimulating skeletal muscle growth and endurance adaptation. Inhibition of this pathway may improve response to aerobic capacity training.
Researchers at BIDMC have shown that altering brown fat tissue can significantly impact skeletal muscle function, leading to reduced exercise performance. The findings suggest that myostatin, a hormone normally silenced in brown adipose tissue, plays a crucial role in regulating muscle function.
A new study found that long-term heat therapy increases mitochondrial function in the muscles by an average of 28 percent. Heat therapy may provide a new treatment option for people with chronic illness or disease who cannot exercise regularly.
A randomized controlled trial found that inhaled vaporized cannabis did not improve or worsen exercise-related breathlessness in patients with advanced COPD. Despite some variability in response, the study's results suggest no clinically meaningful effect of cannabis on breathlessness during exercise.
Researchers studied identical 52-year-old twins with different fitness paths, revealing the importance of exercise in maintaining overall health. The athletic twin exhibited better cardiovascular and pulmonary health, as well as greater muscle strength and endurance, highlighting the benefits of regular physical activity.
A collaborative study funded by NIH aims to assess the effects of treadmill walking exercise on cognitive processing speed, brain volume, and functional connectivity in individuals with MS. Researchers hope to develop exercise training guidelines to improve cognition and brain health in people with MS.
Researcher Guro Strøm Solli studied Marit Bjørgen's pre- and post-pregnancy training regime, revealing how she trained at moderate intensity despite experiencing weight gain and physiological changes. Bjørgen's high-training volume during pregnancy was also remarkable, with 555 hours of training in 316 sessions.
New research reveals that gyms with tanning beds target people at higher risk of skin cancer, increasing the likelihood of addictive behavior. People who tan in gyms tend to be heavier tanners and more likely to experience addiction.
A new study found that intensive care patients are unable to effectively use fats for energy, contributing to significant muscle loss. This inability is likely due to widespread muscle inflammation in the early days of intensive care, making nutrition and exercise programmes less effective.
A team of researchers at the University of Iowa designed a web-based game called MapTrek that motivates people to get up and exercise more. The study found that participants who played the game increased their daily steps by about 2,200 per day, which is close to walking one mile.
A new study by San Francisco State University found that exercise increases beneficial bacteria in the gut, leading to improved cardiovascular fitness. The study, which analyzed stool samples from 20 men and 17 women, revealed a higher ratio of firmicutes to bacteroides bacteria in those with better cardiovascular health.
Teenagers who participate in high-intensity exercise have lower blood pressure, which may lead to a reduced risk of developing heart disease later in life. The study found that post-exercise hypotension was more pronounced in vigorous intensity exercise than moderate intensity exercise.
A study at McGill University found that just 15 minutes of exercise increases brain connectivity and efficiency, leading to better long-term retention of new motor skills. The research suggests that this optimal brain state can be accelerated through exercise and may have implications for recovery from stroke or injury.
A new approach called prehabilitation, combining exercise training, education, and social support, may reduce postoperative complications and hospital length of stay in vulnerable older adults. Two Canadian randomized controlled trials are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention.
A new study found that middle-aged individuals with high fitness are 56% less likely to die from heart disease after a depression diagnosis. Dr. Madhukar Trivedi recommends steps to boost exercise success, including consistency, tracking progress, and varying exercises.
A pioneering exercise program adapted to individual capabilities improved physical and cognitive state among elderly care home residents. After three months, those doing physical exercise showed significant improvements in strength, walking speed, and balance.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that writing exercises focused on self-compassion and gratitude for the body can significantly increase women's body satisfaction. The study, which involved over 1,000 college women, showed that these types of letters can be a positive step towards improving body image.
New research published in The Journal of Physiology reveals that exercise can reduce chronic inflammation in obese individuals. By changing the characteristics of their blood-forming stem cells, exercise decreases the number of blood cells associated with inflammation.
A Northwestern University study found that a lifestyle intervention using a smartphone app, activity tracker, and small financial incentive can fully normalize unhealthy behaviors such as low fruit and vegetable intake and high screen time. Participants made significant improvements in their eating and exercise habits over a nine-month...
A study of 3000 people in South Australia and Brazil found that nearly 70% with heart conditions or risk factors do not follow recommended exercise plans. This under-reported issue affects long-term quality of life, despite advances in treatment.
A clinical trial by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine shows that combining wearable devices with financial incentives and personalized goal-setting increases physical activity levels in heart disease patients. The study found a significant increase in step counts, totaling about 100 miles more than the average patient in co...
Written resources can enhance health behavior changes and are a fundamental component of health promotion efforts. However, research reveals that over 50% of physical activity resources have reading levels above an eighth-grade level, limiting their effectiveness.
Researchers found that a new movement curriculum increased physical activity and motor skills competence in preschoolers by two minutes per day, compared to traditional programs. The study suggests that teaching basic skills like throwing, running, and jumping can improve girls' physical activity levels and close the gender gap.
New research suggests that regular exercise has a greater impact on blood vessels in middle-aged men compared to post-menopausal women. Arterial stiffness and blood pressure improved with brisk walking, but were higher in women after exercise.
A study of 15,450 adult survivors of childhood cancer found that vigorous exercise reduces mortality risk. Regular physical activity is associated with a significant decrease in the risk of death among these patients., who have an elevated risk due to late cancer treatment effects.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that individuals with coronary heart disease who are physically active live longer, regardless of their weight. The study revealed that even slight physical activity is better than none at all, but sustained high-intensity exercise is crucial for reaping benefits.
A systematic review of 4,600 clinical trials found that nearly any type of exercise can improve cognitive performance, particularly mental processing speed. Consistent exercise over a longer period may be needed for improved cognition in older adults.
A new study links divorce to increased risk of smoking and lower physical activity levels, which can lead to early mortality. Divorced individuals report lower life satisfaction, predicting poorer health outcomes.
New research reveals that high altitudes reduce heart function by decreasing blood volume and increasing lung pressure. The study's findings will improve our understanding of how the human body adapts to high-altitude environments, making exploration and tourism safer and facilitating exercise performance at high altitude.
New research found that daily aerobic exercise alters mesolimbic dopamine pathway in the brain, a key neurotransmitter associated with substance use disorders. The study suggests that exercise may normalize dopamine signaling changed by chronic drug use, providing a potential treatment strategy for substance abuse.
Researchers found that inactive individuals who tried HIIT for the first time enjoyed it just as much as traditional exercise, and 79% of participants completed HIIT outside of the lab. This study suggests that short bursts of intense exercise may be a viable time-efficient option for those with busy lives.
A new study found that postmenopausal women who engaged in strenuous exercise regularly in their teens had lower risk of height loss. The study also identified other factors associated with height loss, including older age, heavier weight, and use of corticosteroids.
Groundbreaking research reveals that leg exercise sends vital signals to the brain for healthy neural cells. Limiting physical activity impairs nerve cell production and maturity.
A systematic review by Purdue University experts reveals that whey protein supplements combined with physical activity can help women improve their body composition. The study found a modest increase in lean mass without influencing fat mass, supporting the use of whey protein as an effective strategy for achieving a leaner body type.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology found that exercising 4-5 days a week slows down the ageing of the heart and blood vessels. Lifelong casual exercise (2-3 times a week) resulted in more youthful middle sized arteries, while frequent exercise (4-5 times a week) kept larger central arteries youthful.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and University College London have identified 30 new gene locations that determine how the heart responds to exercise and recovers from it. This discovery could lead to the development of targeted therapies for abnormal heart rhythms and improved heart health.
A study published in The BMJ found that a moderate to high intensity exercise program improved physical fitness in individuals with mild to moderate dementia. However, the program did not slow cognitive decline or improve daily activities. Researchers suggest exploring other forms of exercise and considering potential negative effects ...
Older adults with mild cognitive impairment showed significant improvement with exergaming, which combines physical exercise with complex thinking and memory skills. Exergames may be an effective tool for slowing the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease.
A study of over 11,000 American adults found that increasing physical activity to recommended levels over six years in middle age significantly decreases the risk of heart failure. Conversely, a decrease in physical activity during this period is linked to an increased risk of the disorder.
A 6-week CrossFit exercise programme improved blood sugar control and reduced heart disease risk in people with Type 2 diabetes. Participants showed significant improvements in insulin sensitivity and heart disease risk factors, even with shorter exercise sessions than traditional guidelines recommend.
A new study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that a mindfulness-based stress reduction program was as effective as structured exercise programs in increasing physical activity and extending life expectancy. The program involved 2.5 hours of meditation, self-awareness, and breathing exercises per week.
A simple walking test, known as the 6-minute walk distance, can predict a patient's risk of developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after heart surgery. The study found that patients with lower 6MWD distances were more likely to experience POCD.