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Brief interventions can help college students return to a healthy lifestyle

A new study from the University of Missouri found that brief interventions, as short as 30 minutes, can significantly improve exercise habits in college students. Participants who received personalized feedback and set health goals reported increased physical activity compared to those who did not receive the intervention.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health·DateNov 29, 2012

Cancer: Exercise reduces tiredness

Aerobic exercise can help relieve fatigue associated with cancer and treatment, balancing rest with physical activity may reduce fatigue. The new review adds 28 studies, including those in breast cancer patients, showing that aerobic exercise benefits those with solid tumours during and after treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateNov 13, 2012

Games may help train analysts to overcome bias

Researchers at Penn State used scenario-based games to detect confirmation bias in intelligence analysts. The study found that teams trained in considering alternative hypotheses outperformed others in identifying perpetrators and targets. The game was designed to mimic real-life situations faced by U.S. intelligence analysts in Iraq.

Even physically active women sit too much

A new Northwestern University study reveals that even physically active women spend an average of nine hours a day sitting. The research suggests that incorporating light activity throughout the day can help mitigate negative health consequences associated with prolonged sitting.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateOct 30, 2012

Sport makes middle-aged people smarter

A Montreal Heart Institute study found that middle-aged people with increased cardiovascular risk showed significant improvements in cognitive functions after four months of high-intensity interval training. The participants' waist circumference and trunk fat mass decreased, while their VO2max and insulin sensitivity increased.

The Biggest Loser a big turnoff

Researchers at the University of Alberta found that extreme exercise depictions on TV shows like The Biggest Loser can create negative attitudes towards physical activity. Watching a clip from the show raised participants' worst possible thoughts about exercise, counteracting public health efforts to encourage more active lifestyles.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateOct 25, 2012

Exercise and complete decongestive therapy best ways to manage lymphedema, MU expert says

A University of Missouri lymphedema expert found that full-body exercise and complete decongestive therapy are effective in managing lymphedema symptoms. The therapy approach incorporates skin care, exercise, manual lymphatic drainage and bandaging, and can be done by patients to minimize their symptoms and maintain quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNursing Research·DateOct 22, 2012

'Biggest Loser' study finds modest diet and exercise can sustain weight loss

A recent NIH study analyzed data from participants on reality TV show 'The Biggest Loser' to find that exercise plays a key role in reducing body fat while preserving muscle mass. Adopting moderate lifestyle changes, such as 20 minutes of daily vigorous exercise and a 20% calorie restriction, can help sustain weight loss and avoid weig...

Soccer scores a health hat trick for hypertensive men

Research from the University of Exeter found that soccer training significantly lowered blood pressure in middle-aged men with hypertension, improving exercise capacity and reducing body fat. The study suggests that regular soccer training can be a game-changing approach to managing cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateOct 15, 2012

Overweight teens get mental health boost from even small amounts of exercise

Overweight adolescents who engaged in regular exercise showed improvements in scholastic competence, social competence, and body image, according to a recent study. The researchers found that even modest doses of aerobic exercise had a positive impact on mental health, including psychological empowerment and reduced emotional distress.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology·DateOct 1, 2012

Exercise does a body -- and a mind -- good

Research found that physical inactivity and negative body image increase the risk of mental health problems in adolescents, while sports participation lowers this risk. The study suggests that psychosocial factors, such as body image and social interaction, play a crucial role in explaining the link between exercise and mental health.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateSep 25, 2012

Blood pressure diet works, but adherence drops among African-Americans

Researchers found that African-Americans are less likely to adopt the DASH diet due to cultural differences, but altering traditional recipes can improve adherence. Significant reductions in blood pressure were seen among participants who followed the DASH diet, especially when combined with exercise and weight loss.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateSep 19, 2012

BYU study: Exercise may affect food motivation

A new study from Brigham Young University found that moderate-to-vigorous exercise in the morning can decrease a person's motivation for food. The research measured neural activity in women while they viewed food images before and after exercise, revealing a lower attentional response to food pictures after the workout.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateSep 12, 2012

The Aldo-DHF study

The Aldo-DHF study found that spironolactone significantly improved diastolic function and reduced blood pressure in patients with symptomatic diastolic heart failure. However, it did not improve exercise capacity or quality of life. The treatment also induced reverse cardiac remodelling and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy.

30 minutes of daily exercise does the trick

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that 30 minutes of daily exercise resulted in significant weight loss and calorie burn, surpassing 60 minutes. The research, led by Mads Rosenkilde, also revealed that participants exercising 30 minutes per day had higher motivation to engage in physical activity.