Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A study of over 1300 female marathon runners found that breast pain is more common among larger breasted women, but also affects childless women. Exercise intensity and duration can exacerbate symptoms, leading some to reduce exercise intensity or miss training sessions.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that physical activity is not a significant factor in health disparities between African-Americans and whites. Sedentary behaviors, such as sitting and screen time, were linked to poorer health outcomes more than physical activity.
A new study from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System found that group mindfulness activities significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in veterans. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combines meditation, acceptance, and awareness to help individuals manage traumatic thoughts and emotions.
A study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that fewer than 8% of breast cancer survivors met national exercise guidelines over a 10-year period. Despite benefits such as reduced mortality and improved quality of life, many survivors struggle to maintain adequate physical activity.
A CU-Boulder study found that regular aerobic exercise is associated with less damage to the brain's white matter among heavy alcohol users. The study suggests that exercise might repair the damage caused by heavy drinking and could be a promising treatment approach for alcohol problems.
A new study finds that aerobic exercise benefits brain white matter integrity, even in individuals with heavy alcohol consumption. Regular exercise appears to counteract negative neural changes associated with aging and disease. The study suggests that exercise may prevent or repair alcohol-related neurological damage.
A review of 32 randomized controlled trials suggests that mental exercise, such as computerized training programs or intensive one-on-one personal cognitive training, may benefit older adults in preventing cognitive decline. The annual rate of dementia-related cognitive decline is estimated to double to over 1 million Canadians by 2047.
A review of published research found no evidence that drugs, herbal products, or vitamin supplements can prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults. However, mental exercises such as computerized memory training programs and intensive one-on-one personal cognitive training showed promise.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that adults who spend more time preparing food tend to exercise less, and vice versa. The study analyzed data from over 112,000 American adults and found a substitution effect between these two healthy behaviors on the same day.
Teenagers who increased daily exercise to at least 20 minutes were able to cut back on their smoking habit. The study found that this short walk helped teens resist lighting up a cigarette and increase their chances of quitting altogether.
A study of 126 inactive older adults with cognitive complaints found significant improvement in cognitive function after 12 weeks of physical and mental activity. However, there was no difference between the intervention and control groups, suggesting that the amount of activity may be more important than its type.
Researchers confirm that obesity leads to a decrease in physical activity over time, with obese participants showing an 8% drop in moderate to vigorous activity. The study uses objective measurement methods and large sample size to provide insight into the relationship between inactivity and weight gain.
A study published in Menopause found that higher levels of routine daily physical activity, particularly household and caregiving chores, were associated with better sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings for women with hot flashes. The positive effects were mainly observed in white, non-obese women.
A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that mindfulness training can significantly improve reading comprehension, working memory capacity, and ability to focus. The results suggest that mindfulness can reduce mind-wandering and improve performance in tasks requiring attention.
Exercises play a vital role in developing and testing emergency plans, improving staff competences, and fostering multi-agency collaboration. Research reveals that effective exercise design and participation can significantly enhance the UK's ability to respond to emergencies.
A recent study found that exercise interventions in childhood may be associated with lower fracture risks as people age due to increased peak bone mass. Researchers conducted a six-year exercise intervention in children aged 7-9 and found similar fracture risks between the intervention and control groups.
Researchers developed a weight loss program that successfully helped participants with serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The program involved exercise classes and individual weight loss guidance, leading to significant weight loss and sustained results.
A new study found that individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression can make substantial lifestyle changes to improve their health and lose weight. The program, which included simple nutrition messages and regular exercise classes, resulted in significant weight loss compared to a control group.
A 24-week trial found no significant improvement in exercise capacity or clinical status for patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction treated with sildenafil. Renal function worsened and adverse events increased in the sildenafil group, contradicting previous findings on PDE-5 inhibitors.
A multicenter trial of sildenafil for diastolic heart failure failed to confirm results of smaller studies, finding no improvement in exercise capacity or cardiovascular structure and function. The study's lead author notes that the disease process may be different and not responsive to this category of drug.
Research presented at the American Society of Animal Science meeting found that moderate exercise during gestation can positively affect ovarian cell development. The study showed increased cell proliferation in ovaries from fetuses born to exercising mothers, suggesting potential benefits for future fertility.
A home-based DVD exercise program called FlexToBa has been shown to improve flexibility, toning, and balance in older adults. Participants who used the program for six months saw clinically important improvements in physical function tests compared to a control group.
A study published in Health Psychology found that endometrial cancer survivors who had higher daily self-efficacy tended to exercise longer and more intensively. This is significant because exercise is a crucial aspect of cancer survivorship, particularly for those who are overweight or obese.
A study of 439 overweight postmenopausal women found that weight loss and physical activity lower the risk of breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers. Adiponectin levels increased with weight loss, while leptin levels decreased, suggesting a protective effect against tumor cell growth.
Research found short bouts of exercise enhance higher brain functions, including memory, concentration, planning, and decision-making, in all three age groups. Short exercises improved self-control, especially in children and teens, crucial for academic achievement and daily life.
A Tel Aviv University researcher finds that a simple home aerobic program is as effective as clinical therapy in treating lower back pain. The program involves walking two to three times a week for 20-40 minutes and has the added advantage of encouraging patients to follow a healthier lifestyle.
Researchers at Brigham Young University found that runners who transition too quickly to minimalist shoes suffer an increased risk of injury. The study suggests a slower and more gradual transition over a longer duration is necessary to minimize the risk of injuries.
The National Sleep Foundation's 2013 Sleep in America poll found a strong association between exercise and better sleep. Exercisers reported better sleep quality and reduced symptoms of insomnia compared to non-exercisers. Additionally, regular exercise was linked to lower risk of sleep apnea and improved overall health.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are studying how exercise affects lean and obese rats to better understand insulin resistance and muscle glucose uptake. By comparing responses in both groups, they aim to develop more effective treatments for improving health across different populations.
A study found that long-term treatment with spironolactone did not improve symptoms or quality of life in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. However, it improved left ventricular diastolic function and reduced potassium levels.
Aerobic exercise increases critical brain structures and improves cognition in children and older adults. Physical activity also reduces susceptibility to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Research suggests that longer periods of low-intensity exercise improve insulin sensitivity and blood lipid levels more effectively than shorter bursts of intense activity. Standing and walking for extended durations are particularly beneficial.
A recent study has found that exercise is linked with reduced prostate cancer risk in Caucasian men, but no such benefit is seen among African-American men. Furthermore, exercise also appears to lower the risk of high-grade prostate cancer in Caucasians compared to sedentary individuals.
Researchers found that Tai Chi significantly reduced falls among adult stroke survivors, improving both static and dynamic balance. The study involved 89 participants who practiced either Tai Chi or usual care for 12 weeks, with the Tai Chi group experiencing fewer falls.
A brief writing intervention helped couples sustain marital satisfaction by reducing distress from conflicts and improving passion and intimacy. The intervention, which involved just three seven-minute writing exercises, was effective regardless of relationship duration.
Researchers are creating a multimedia system that uses multiple 3-D cameras to create avatars of humans in two different places, allowing them to interact. The system could enable physical therapists to work with patients remotely and receive real-time feedback on their exercises.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that watching TV for more than 20 hours a week can almost halve sperm count, while exercising 15 or more hours a week can improve it by 73%. Moderate to vigorous exercise also has a positive impact on semen quality.
A study found that TV viewing and lack of exercise at age 16 increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease by adulthood. Excessive leisure-time physical activity, like watching TV, is linked to disease risk independent of exercise habits.
Research finds that junior male soccer players experience chronic stress, exhaustion, and disillusion with their sport at a young age. Players under external pressure from others are most vulnerable to burnout. The study suggests that perfectionism can be both a potent energizing force and a costly force for athletes.
A study of over 6,000 American adults found that incorporating short bursts of physical activity into daily life can be beneficial for improving health outcomes such as metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure. Researchers suggest making movement a way of life by adding activity to everyday tasks like walking or raking leaves.
Research at the University of Missouri found that certain exercises benefit obese men but not women with Type 2 diabetes. Obese women may require longer or higher-intensity exercise programs to see similar improvements in cardiovascular function.
A recent study found that only 22% of participants who reported certain triggers developed a migraine attack after exposure. The research suggests that people may no longer need to avoid suspected triggers if they don't experience a headache episode within three months.
Researchers found that exercise-loving mice have significantly greater midbrain volume and larger non-cerebellar brain mass compared to regular mice. The study supports the mosaic theory of brain evolution, suggesting that changes in brain size may be region-specific rather than overall.
A systematic review of four studies suggests that acupuncture may have a positive effect on exercise performance and recovery after exercise. However, additional trials with larger sample sizes and randomized designs are required to confirm these findings.
A new study found that only 39% of four-year colleges and universities require physical education, compared to 97% in the 1920s. Research shows that exercise improves cognitive performance and reduces obesity, but institutions are not embracing their own research.
Researchers discovered a key protein receptor plays a crucial role in motivation during physical exercise, explaining why many people struggle to stick to their fitness goals. The CB1 cannabinoid receptor regulates the brain's reward system, controlling how long individuals engage in voluntary physical activity.
In a large randomized trial, aerobic training was shown to result in greater weight and fat loss compared to resistance training or a combination of both. Aerobic exercise also led to significant reductions in waist circumference and improvements in cardiopulmonary fitness.
Researchers found that six weeks of resistance training significantly improved blood markers of cardiovascular health in young African-American men, but not Caucasian men. This suggests that resistance exercise training is more beneficial in young African-American men.
Asthmatic children in NYC asthma hotspots experience more frequent exercise-induced wheeze and ER visits than those in lower-asthma areas. Parents and physicians should be aware of the need for medication, such as bronchodilator inhalers, before exercise.
A recent study found that nearly 40% of African-American women avoid exercise due to their hair. Hair care and hairstyle maintenance can be costly and lead to sweating, which may deter women from engaging in physical activity. Women with normal scalps were more likely to participate in aerobic exercises.
A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reveals that hair care complications are a primary factor deterring African-American women from exercising. The research found that over 40% of respondents reported avoiding exercise due to hair-related issues, with many using heat straighteners or chemical products to style their hair.
Researchers found that aerobic exercise led to greater weight and fat loss compared to resistance training, which only increased lean body mass. The combination of both exercises showed mixed results but provided a significant decrease in waist circumference.
Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function in older adults, including task switching, selective attention, and working memory. The evidence suggests that regular physical activity can attenuate age-related decline in these areas, providing a simple means for people to optimize their brain power.
Research found that healthcare providers often advise overweight and obese women to gain less weight than recommended, leading to potential health risks. Women also received limited exercise guidance, with most advised to limit or stop exercising altogether.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have isolated a previously unknown protein in muscles that spurs their growth and increased power following resistance exercise. The protein, PGC-1 alpha-4, controls the activity of two molecular pathways involved in muscle growth.
New research at the University of Missouri suggests that eating fewer, larger meals can be more beneficial for obese women than consuming small meals throughout the day. The study found that this approach lowered blood-fat levels and reduced the risk of developing heart disease.
A recent study found that exercise in horses reduced embryo recovery rates and quality, potentially impacting early embryonic development. The research also suggests a possible link between intense exercise and detrimental effects on female reproductive blood flow, highlighting the need for further studies.
A University of Akron researcher has designed a novel system for future wellness programs that utilizes real-time data and personalized incentives. The system aims to provide cost-effective solutions by optimizing program effectiveness and reducing costs for organizations.
University of Illinois Chicago researcher Karen Troy has received a $1.6 million grant to investigate the effects of mechanical forces on bone strength. She will conduct two studies, one testing dose response and another examining rate-dependent effects, using quantitative computed tomography to measure changes in bone mineral density.
Athletes are vulnerable to extreme heat or cold, which can cause hypothermia, frostbite, heat edema, heat syncope, and even life-threatening conditions. Team physicians play a crucial role in educating coaches and athletes on the risks of exposure and how to prevent these injuries.