Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A new study suggests that mindfulness meditation can make memories less accurate, leading to confusion between real and imagined experiences. Participants who engaged in a 15-minute mindfulness meditation session were more likely to falsely recall words from a list, even when the list did not include the actual word.
A new study from the UNC School of Medicine reveals that a diabetes drug called rosiglitazone substantially increases bone fat, leading to an increased risk of bone fractures. However, exercise has been shown to decrease bone fat by around 10%, which can help mitigate this risk.
A recent study published in Health Education and Behavior found that individuals who believe their weight is determined by DNA tend to make unhealthy food choices and engage in less exercise as they age. This association was observed across both men and women, with the relationship differing by age.
A new NIH-funded study launched at UH Seidman Cancer Center aims to investigate the effects of physical activity on functional status, body composition, and biomarkers associated with breast cancer prognosis in older breast cancer survivors. The five-year clinical trial will focus on African American and low socioeconomic status women.
A meta-analysis by UT Southwestern Medical Center cardiologists found exercise training reduces pressure in the arteries and increases exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The study also showed a positive effect on several measures of heart function and overall quality of life, without compromising safety.
A new study by University of Georgia researchers found that middle-schoolers who feel pressured into exercising are less likely to engage in physical activity. The study suggests that children are more likely to identify with exercise when they feel in control of their choices.
Researchers Terrie Williams and her team have studied exercise physiology in wild animals and human athletes for over 30 years. Key findings include the high prolonged heart-rate levels of professional big-wave surfers, with one recorded at 200 beats per minute, and how this differs from dogs and cats.
Researchers aim to optimize aerobic exercise training for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, which could improve blood pressure in the lungs, skeletal muscle, and heart metabolism. High-intensity interval training has shown promising results in reversing enlargement of the right ventricle and improving blood pressures.
A study found that improving cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the risk of arrhythmia recurrence in obese atrial fibrillation patients. Patients with higher exercise capacity showed a significant reduction in arrhythmia risk, with 84% being free from arrhythmia after four years.
A study by Concordia University found that exercising regularly can reduce body-related guilt in teen smokers, while non-active smokers experience higher levels of shame. The research suggests that physical activity may be a promising solution to prevention and cessation.
A study by Iowa State University found that activity trackers are less accurate when measuring strength training, with some monitors overestimating calories burned. The BodyMedia Core was the most accurate tracker, while the Misfit Shine was the least, with error rates of 15.3% and 30.4%, respectively.
A UCLA-led study found that only 1 in 10 heart failure patients are referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program after hospitalization, despite strong evidence of its benefits. The study's findings point to the need for improved awareness and strategies to increase referrals.
A study published in Neurocase found that Olga Kotelko's brain showed some promising signs, with intact white-matter tracts and a hippocampus larger than expected. However, her brain also had advanced aging markers, highlighting the need for further research into the effects of exercise on cognition in older adults.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found a strong association between male intelligence in early adulthood and midlife physical performance. Men with higher intelligence scores tend to have stronger back, legs, and hands, as well as better balance and improved exercise habits.
Researchers have found that human irisin circulates in the blood at nanogram levels and increases during exercise. The discovery resolves a long-standing controversy over irisin's existence, with alternative start codons explaining its production in skeletal muscle cells.
Researchers at Michigan State University developed a targeted brain game that helps people focus and reduces anxiety. The study found that anxious college students who completed the game task showed improved concentration and lessened anxiety after being distracted.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that exercise can help alleviate excessive daytime sleepiness in depressed individuals by reducing two biological markers associated with hypersomnia. The study identified the biomarkers and showed that exercise reduced their levels, resulting in improved symptoms.
A comprehensive study found that cold water immersion after strength training reduced long-term muscle mass and strength gains. Muscle biopsies revealed blunted activity of satellite cells and pathways needed to build bigger muscles up to two days after exercise in the ice bath group.
A five-year grant is funding research into strategies to help older adults prevent or reverse typical age-related cognitive decline. Researchers will recruit 580 people over 65 with significant memory problems but no dementia, and evaluate their progress with cognitive tests and MRI scans.
Regular exercise in adolescence is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and all-cause mortality in women. Participation in team sports during the teen years also shows a protective effect against cancer death later in life. The study suggests that promoting exercise participation in adolescence could have important public health im...
Women who participated in exercise as adolescents had a reduced risk of death from cancer and all causes in their middle and older ages. Exercise participation was also associated with lower mortality risks for cardiovascular disease. The study found that women who engaged in team sports or regular exercise during adolescence had a 14-...
A University of Delaware-led study found that an intensive regimen of regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the short-term onset of knee pain for overweight adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Arthritis Care and Research, shows a 15% decrease in knee pain development among those who underwent the intensive pro...
A new study found that a Birmingham, Ala., neighborhood's community revitalization project led to an increase in physical activity among residents. Residents' expectations of improved safety and access to green spaces were key factors in their increased exercise habits.
A clinical trial found that exercising 300 minutes per week reduced total body fat and abdominal fat in postmenopausal women, with greater effects seen in obese women. The study supports the recommendation for postmenopausal women to exercise at least 300 minutes/week for cancer prevention.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have found that changes in body temperature can cause arrhythmia, leading to sudden cardiac death. The study, published in the Journal of Physiology, identifies a protein sensitive to temperature fluctuations that can disrupt heart function.
A six-month trial conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center found that older adults can improve their visual-spatial processing and attention levels by exercising for 75-225 minutes per week. The study's results suggest that intensity, rather than duration, is more important for benefits to brain function.
Researchers found that children on summer break consume more sugar, watch more TV, and eat fewer vegetables than the rest of the year. Despite differences in obesity behaviors between income groups, overall patterns were similar across households above and below poverty thresholds.
Middle-aged men with low bone mass can improve bone density through exercise-based interventions, such as weight-lifting and jumping programs. These exercises, completed for at least six months, increase bone mass in the whole body and lumbar spine, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
A new Iowa State University study found that instigation habits, or cues, are more effective than execution habits in increasing exercise frequency. The research suggests that internal cues, such as a feeling of needing to move after sitting for several hours, form the strongest habits and can be trained over time.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that a nutritional supplement can improve exercise tolerance and reduce fatigue in mice by optimizing energy use in exercising muscles. The study suggests that carnitine and its enzyme CrAT work together to enhance muscle energy metabolism during exercise.
Researchers identified enzyme carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) that enhances energy metabolism during exercise. Carnitine supplementation improved exercise tolerance in healthy mice, but its effects on humans are unclear.
A new study published in Radiology found that MRI and CT scans can help explain COPD symptoms and exercise limitations, allowing for more personalized treatment. The findings suggest that lung imaging can provide a deeper understanding of the disease and improve patient outcomes.
A review of 160 clinical trials found exercise improves health outcomes, but effects vary by age, gender, and health status. Intermediate biomarkers like insulin resistance and inflammation may mediate cardioprotective effects.
Researchers at MIT have found that a combination of artificial gravity and exercise can significantly lessen the effects of extended weightlessness in space. The study involved healthy participants pedaling a stationary bicycle while spinning in a centrifuge, with results showing improved bone density and cardiovascular activity.
A comparative study of 9 European countries found that married couples have a higher body mass index than singles, with differences attributed to changes in eating behaviors. However, the study also shows that married couples tend to eat healthier, with increased consumption of regional and organic products.
The new consensus statement recommends drinking when thirsty to prevent hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition caused by excessive fluid intake. The strategy aims to limit drinking in excess and develop hyponatremia while providing sufficient fluid to prevent dehydration.
Researchers found that early-age exercise in mice had positive effects on adult levels of voluntary exercise, including a reduction in body mass. The study suggests that early-life exercise may increase the likelihood of adults engaging in regular physical activity.
A new pilot study found that Montmorency tart cherry juice reduced upper respiratory tract symptoms in marathon runners. The study also showed lower markers for inflammation compared to a placebo group. This research provides encouraging evidence of the potential role of tart cherries in reducing exercise-induced respiratory problems.
A new study found that fitness-branded foods increase consumption in restrained eaters, while reducing physical activity. Fitness labels on snacks led to increased eating and decreased exercise among participants trying to watch their weight.
The Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) pilot study explores a community-based approach to support cancer survivors in regaining their strength and energy levels. Participants receive either standard care or supervised group exercise training, showing promising results for improved physical fitness and mental well-being.
Researchers found that exercising diabetic patients can improve glycemic control, waist circumference, and percentage of body fat, even for those who don't see cardiorespiratory benefits. The study suggests broadening the definition of 'non-responder' to include participants with limited improvement in exercise capacity.
Researchers at Monash University found that extreme endurance events can lead to sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Fitter individuals with a steady training program can adapt and counteract this effect without side effects.
A randomized trial found that patients assigned a diet they liked lost less weight and reported lower dietary adherence than those assigned a diet by their physician. The study suggests that choosing a diet based on food preferences may make it difficult for dieters to scale down on the amount they eat.
A study by EULAR found that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improves lung strength and efficiency in AS patients, outperforming conventional treatment. After just eight weeks of IMT, patients showed improvements in chest expansion, aerobic capacity, resting pulmonary function, and ventilator efficiency.
A study found that physical activity declines over time in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), worsening lung function and health status. Sustained physical inactivity is associated with progression of exercise intolerance and muscle depletion.
Research suggests that light-intensity exercise can lead to improved health outcomes, including lower BMI and reduced chronic disease risk, for individuals over age 65. Engaging in 5 hours of light physical activity per week appears to provide similar benefits as moderate exercise.
Research suggests that aerobic exercise can curb asthma symptoms and improve quality of life by reducing bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory response. The study found significant improvements in symptom-free days, worsening symptom bouts, and quality of life scores among participants with moderate to severe asthma.
A faulty calcium channel in heart cells can cause a rare but potentially fatal heart condition called CPVT. When someone with the faulty gene exercises, adrenaline release can flood into the heart cells, causing a fatal arrhythmia.
Researchers question the validity of US dietary guidelines citing memory-based dietary assessment methods and their inability to accurately capture food consumption. Experts counter that multiple data sources can mitigate these issues, providing a more accurate representation of dietary habits.
Current practice of testing athletes at rest may miss signs of right ventricular dysfunction that can lead to sudden death. A new study shows that exercise echocardiography can detect changes in the right ventricle's functioning during physical activity, providing a potential diagnostic tool for cardiologists managing athletes.
Researchers found that older adults' cycling speed improved while completing cognitive tasks without sacrificing cognitive performance. The study suggests combining physical activity with mental tasks may encourage more vigorous exercise.
A new study reveals that AMPK, the body's fuel gauge, is essential for slowing muscle wasting with aging. Researchers found mice lacking AMPK in their muscles developed significant muscle weakness.
A study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology suggests that anticipating ethical temptations can decrease the likelihood of unethical behavior. Participants who anticipated temptation were less likely to engage in dishonest behavior and more likely to maintain consistency with their long-term goals and moral se...
Researchers found that almost 83% of participants regained mobility after six months with home exercise and support, compared to 36.4%. Home-based walking programs can help prevent mobility loss in patients with clogged leg arteries.
A new study shows that personalized music playlists with tempo-pace synchronization can significantly increase exercise adherence in cardiac rehabilitation patients, with an average of 105.4 minutes more exercise per week. This approach has the potential to improve long-term survival and life expectancy for these patients.
A new study suggests that pulmonary rehabilitation can help reduce body mass index, improve pulmonary function, and decrease OSA severity in newly diagnosed patients. The treatment was found to be beneficial in addition to CPAP therapy.
A recent study found that youth dance classes offer only limited amounts of physical activity, with an average of 17 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per class. The CDC's guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily for kids aged 6-17, but most dance classes fall short of this target.
A large cohort study found that even short duration and low intensity exercise has a negative correlation with mortality rate in the elderly. The risk of death decreased by 57% in those with higher levels of physical activity compared to those with lower levels.
A study published at the EuroPRevent congress found that employees in busy workplaces often do not meet recommended levels of physical activity, with only 6% achieving 10,000 steps per day. The research highlights the need for workplace health promotion policies to be more effectively applied to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Regular physical activity among elderly men is linked to a 40% lower risk of death from any cause. The study found that even light physical activity was associated with a significant reduction in risk, and those who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity lived five years longer than sedentary individuals.