Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
Research finds that standard road crossing intervals are too short for older adults with limited mobility, resulting in a need for slower crossings. The study analyzed walking speeds of 1,110 adults aged 65 and over and found that just 1.5% can cross the road within the typical time allowed by pedestrian signals.
Researchers found that a decline in chaperone-mediated autophagy activity is linked to age-related muscle wasting and can be boosted by exercise and fasting. The study suggests that enhancing this process may be a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing or treating sarcopenia in aging populations.
A Bar-Ilan University study suggests that incorporating more walking into daily commutes can improve health without adding extra travel time. By increasing the walking distance thresholds in trip planning, researchers found that most commuters could benefit from an average of nine minutes of walking per day.
A large clinical trial published in JAMA Surgery shows that prehabilitation can reduce disability after surgery in older adults with frailty, provided they fully participate in the program. Participants who completed at least 75% of exercises had significantly lower levels of disability after surgery.
A national study led by Curtin University found that Australian's location significantly affects their body weight. The research tracked individuals across 14 years and discovered that people tend to adapt to the typical weight profile of their new community., Local food environments, walkability, and access to green space are key fact...
A recent study from the University of Toronto found that use of pre-workout dietary supplements is associated with five or fewer hours of sleep per night. The study analyzed data from over 16-30 year-old participants and found that those who used pre-workout supplements were more than twice as likely to report short sleep durations.
The FAIR Consensus Statement offers practical recommendations to reduce injury risk and improve safety in female, woman, and girl athletes. The guidelines mandate sport-specific strength exercises, enforced fair play, and proper equipment use to prevent injuries.
A recent study published in Nature Health found that higher park accessibility is associated with increased daily physical activity. The researchers analyzed wearable step-counter data from 7,013 anonymous users in 53 U.S. metropolitan areas and found a strong link between park accessibility and movement.
A new study found that long-term exposure to toxic air can weaken the health benefits of regular exercise. The study analyzed data from over 1.5 million adults and found that people living in high pollution areas had a reduced risk of dying, but not eliminated, despite exercising regularly. Clean air can still enhance health gains, wit...
A trial from Hong Kong found that tai chi is comparable to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of chronic insomnia. The study showed that tai chi was non-inferior to CBT at the 12-month follow-up, suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment approach for middle-aged and older adults.
A new study found that fewer than 1 in 4 children aged 2 to 4 meet the recommended daily physical activity levels. The research analyzed data from 419 preschool-aged children and highlights a critical gap in physical activity among preschoolers.
A new algorithm developed by researchers at North Carolina State University can optimize the movement of robotic prosthetic devices and help users exhibit a more natural walking pattern. The algorithm improves hip range of motion and reduces lower back pain for all five study participants.
A University of California, Riverside-led study found a community-based health program improving lifestyle changes in low-income, rural Latinas. The program, ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva!, combined health education, cooking demos, and exercise, resulting in increased healthy habits, weight loss, and improved chronic disease management.
Adults with higher levels of physical activity during midlife and late life have a lower risk of all-cause and Alzheimer's disease dementia. This cohort study, part of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort, found similar reductions in risk across different age groups.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have discovered a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease by targeting muscle protein Cathepsin B. The study found that increasing Ctsb in muscle tissue may offer protection against the effects of AD and promote brain cell growth, restoring protein balance and rebalancing brain activity.
Research suggests that health apps, wearables, and interactive programs can improve physical activity, diet, and weight outcomes for children and teens. Mobile apps had the greatest impact on diet and weight outcomes, while wearables were most effective for reducing sedentary time.
A 47-year-old man from New Jersey died after consuming beef due to a tick-borne meat allergy caused by the Lone Star tick's alpha-gal sugar. Researchers identified the allergy and its link to fatal anaphylaxis, urging physicians to investigate severe abdominal pain after eating red meat in areas with high Lone Star tick populations.
A new study found that recreational runners who experience shorter sleep duration and lower sleep quality are nearly twice as likely to sustain an injury, highlighting the importance of prioritizing sleep for injury prevention.
Researchers found that combining L-BAIBA supplementation with voluntary wheel running exercise enhances musculoskeletal properties in middle-aged male mice. The study showed significant improvements in muscle strength, bone density, and reduced bone marrow fat.
Exercise promotes angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through molecular signaling pathways, enhancing vascular function and immune response. This process offers potential interventions to combat age-related decline and disease, including cardiovascular diseases, muscle atrophy, and metabolic disorders.
A new study from Edith Cowan University found that recreational athletes often experience disordered eating and exercise behaviors despite perceiving themselves as healthy and fit. Only 26% reported being satisfied with their body weight and shape, highlighting the gap between physical health and body image.
Interactive music technologies adapt to users' movements, boosting motivation and emotional experience during exercise. The study found faster music tempos linked with greater benefits, suggesting these systems can support sustained effort and improve performance.
The study found that a nine-month programme of supervised exercise improved muscle mass and strength, particularly in the arms and legs, and physical performance in patients with breast cancer that had spread to other parts of the body. Muscle mass increased by an average of 0.79 kg after three months and 0.32 kg after six months compa...
A new study from Virginia Tech found that weightlifting outmuscles running for blood sugar control in diabetes models. The research compared the effects of endurance and resistance exercise in mice fed a high-fat diet and found that weightlifting was more effective in reducing subcutaneous and visceral fat, improving glucose tolerance,...
The DEFEND study aims to assess whether virtual exercise sessions can be successfully delivered to patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Researchers will evaluate the impact on physical function, fatigue, and disability.
A new study published in Nature Medicine found that increasing daily steps by even a little can help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive decline was delayed by three years for people who walked 3,000-5,000 steps per day, and by seven years for those who walked 5,000-7,500 steps per day.
A study found that maintaining moderate physical activity over three decades can significantly reduce digestive system cancer risk. The optimal level of physical activity was around 17 metabolic equivalent task-hours/week, equivalent to 5 hours of brisk walking or 2 hours of running per week.
A new study suggests that supplementing with BCAAs alongside an exercise program may help reduce fatigue, improve strength, and ease symptoms of depression for older adults. The research found notable improvements in participants who combined a BCAA supplement with an eight-week exercise program.
Researchers found that magnetic mitohormesis, a non-invasive treatment, can activate metabolic pathways triggered by exercise, improving glucose control without physical strain. Patients with excess belly fat experienced significant improvements in blood glucose control and HbA1c levels.
A new study from the University of Birmingham found that consuming flavanols can preserve blood vessel function in young healthy men during periods of uninterrupted sitting. The researchers tested whether high-flavanol cocoa could prevent FMD declines, and found significant protection against vascular dysfunction.
A randomized clinical trial found that an unsupervised online Tai Chi intervention improved knee pain and function compared to the control group at 12 weeks. This free web-based intervention offers a safe, accessible, and scalable option for guideline-recommended osteoarthritis exercise.
Recent studies from the University of Eastern Finland suggest that an active lifestyle, good physical fitness and moderate screen time are crucial for brain development in adolescence. Better physical fitness was associated with increased excitability and stronger inhibition of the motor cortex, while passive screen time weakened corti...
A new study finds that an AI-powered lifestyle intervention is noninferior to human coaching in achieving a composite outcome in adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity. The AI-led Diabetes Prevention Program was noninferior to the human-led program in terms of weight reduction, physical activity, and HbA1c levels.
A study found that longer accumulations of steps in one go have a greater health benefit than short bouts spread out across the day. Walking continuously for 10-15 minutes per day was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and mortality.
A prospective cohort study found that individuals who accumulate their daily steps in longer bouts have a lower risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. In sedentary participants, the association between longer stepping bouts and lower risk was more pronounced.
Research on 1,000 older Japanese adults found that declining hand function significantly increases the risk of requiring long-term care. Hand function below a certain threshold was associated with an increased risk, highlighting its importance for daily activities and overall health.
A new UTA study found that engaging in light activity, such as walking or doing chores, instead of sitting can lead to better feelings the next day. The research, published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, suggests that even small changes to daily routine can have a positive impact on mood and energy.
A new study from the University of Portsmouth found that individuals' ability to stay active despite pain depends more on their pain resilience than on how much pain they feel. Boosting resilience could enhance both pain management and overall health.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that countries with higher human development indices and lower gender inequality have higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness among young adults. Women's VO2peak was significantly higher in countries with high gender equality compared to those with low gender equality.
A recent study from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences uses wearable sensor technology and machine learning to estimate ground-reaction forces in runners. This data can provide insights into performance and injury, enabling the development of devices that deliver real-time feedback to users.
A new study found that fitness and calorie counting apps can lead to negative emotions such as shame, disappointment, and demotivation among users. The researchers called for a more holistic approach focusing on wellbeing rather than rigid calorie counting and exercise quantification.
Research from UC Riverside found that fit mice increased voluntary running activity when deprived of water. The study suggests that physical fitness may provide a physiological buffer against dehydration, which could be beneficial for humans in a warming world and individuals working in physically demanding outdoor occupations.
Researchers found that voluntary running exercise mitigates cafeteria diet-induced behavioral changes via hormonal and microbial pathways. The study revealed specific metabolites, such as anserine and indole-3-carboxylate, were decreased by the cafeteria diet but partially restored by exercise.
A recent study published in Pediatric Research highlights the impact of neighborhood environments on childhood type 2 diabetes risk. The research found associations between library presence, neighborhood walkability, and caregiver health, suggesting that social and environmental factors play a significant role in T2D development.
A large prospective study found that achieving at least 4000 steps per day on 1-2 days per week is associated with a significantly lower risk of death and lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This study suggests that frequency of meeting daily step thresholds is not critical, but rather the volume of steps taken.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that daily step counts of 4,000 or more are associated with a 26% lower mortality risk and 27% lower cardiovascular disease risk in older women. The study suggests that even sporadic high-intensity exercise can have significant health benefits.
A new study has identified a leptin-sensitive brain circuit in the lateral hypothalamus that helps animals overcome anxiety to perform essential behaviors such as eating, exploring, and limiting maladaptive hyperactivity. Boosting the activity of these neurons can restore adaptive choices even under conditions that cause anxiety.
A new study published in PNAS found that physical activity increases total daily energy expenditure without reducing it elsewhere. The research showed a clear link between being more active and spending less time sitting still.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that football practices can be up to 40% more physically demanding than games, with defensive backs running farther distances. The research used GPS technology to measure training loads and provide insights for coaches and trainers to design optimal practice schedules.
Researchers found that even extreme athletes cannot surpass an average metabolic ceiling of 2.5 times their basal metabolic rate in energy expenditure. The study tracked ultra-runners and cyclists, finding that while they can burn six to seven times their BMR during multi-day races, longer periods see a return to the predicted ceiling.
A periodized exercise program can improve physical function, reduce treatment-related fatigue, and enhance overall quality of life for cancer patients. Research shows that tailored exercise plans can also positively influence systemic inflammation, metabolism, and immune function, which could impact cancer progression and recurrence.
Regular aerobic exercise improves pain, function, gait performance, and quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Alternative forms of structured physical activity may still be beneficial when aerobic exercise is not possible.
Researchers found that a supplement containing high-molecular-weight hyaluronan preserves muscle mass and exercise capacity in aging mice. The study suggests that targeting the glycocalyx may be a viable therapeutic strategy to treat age-related physical dysfunction.
A study finds that women runners prioritize comfort, injury prevention, and performance when choosing running shoes, highlighting a need for sex- and gender-specific designs that accommodate female foot morphology across the lifespan. The researchers recommend moving beyond scaling down men's shoes to fit women's feet.
A new study shows that just 30 minutes of less sitting per day can improve the body's ability to utilize fats and carbohydrates for energy production. Participants who successfully reduced sedentary time showed improvements in metabolic flexibility and fat burning during light-intensity exercise.
A 4-week intervention study found that adhering to UK Physical Activity Guidelines improves cardiorespiratory fitness and increases muscle thickness and strength in older adults. This study demonstrates the potential of physical activity guidelines for improving health and functional well-being in older adults.
A new study published in PLOS One found that running with a stroller reduces vertical loading metrics by up to 17%, potentially decreasing injury risk. However, torsional loading metrics increased significantly, posing a potential trade-off.
The new centre supports multiple clinical trials in parallel, enabling comprehensive evaluations of organ health across physiological systems. It also provides hands-on training opportunities for healthcare professionals, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Research found that defense cells of trained older adults are more effective against inflammation and metabolically efficient. Regular exercise modulates inflammatory response over time, reducing markers of inflammation and increasing anti-inflammatory markers.
Paul Boutros, a pioneer in using AI and machine learning to analyze cancer data, is appointed as the new director of the National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center at Sanford Burnham Prebys. The cancer center will leverage computational tools to personalize therapies for cancer patients.