Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
Dialysis patients face health problems including heart disease, vascular calcification, and muscle loss. A five-year study aims to improve their health by administering protein supplements and promoting intradialytic cycling during treatments.
Biologists at UC Riverside found that voluntary activity is a heritable trait that can be passed down genetically. Mice bred for high running ability produced high-running offspring, indicating the trait was inherited. The study suggests pharmaceutical drugs could be used to alter human activity levels.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have created a novel method using power meters and stationary bicycles to determine cycling fitness. The technique allows athletes to establish personalized training zones with high accuracy, enabling coaches to prescribe targeted workouts.
A study found that moderate exercise, such as walking, enhances brain circuit connectivity, combating age-related declines in brain function. This improved connectivity is associated with better performance on cognitive tasks like planning, prioritizing, and multitasking.
A dietary supplement boosting nitric oxide levels can significantly improve stamina and allow athletes to exercise up to 20% longer. The study suggests a 1-2% improvement in race times, which may be the difference between winning and losing at elite levels.
Researchers found that exercising obese rodents showed restored signals of satiety in hypothalamic neurons, leading to decreased food intake. The study's findings suggest a new paradigm for physical activity and weight loss, reinforcing the importance of regular exercise.
A four-week episode of increased energy intake and decreased exercise caused significant weight gain, which was mostly lost within six months. However, the intervention group showed an increased fat mass compared to baseline after two and a half years, highlighting the long-term effects of short-term behavioral changes.
Researchers identified a novel protein called SNARK, which plays a key role in regulating glucose transport during muscle contraction and exercise. The study shows that SNARK mediates contraction-stimulated glucose transport, providing an alternative pathway for increasing glucose uptake in individuals with insulin resistance.
A recent study has found that teenagers who are overweight, smoke, or get little exercise are more likely to experience frequent headaches. The research suggests that lifestyle factors such as regular physical activity, healthy food choices, and quitting smoking may be key to preventing headaches in teens.
A study of 140 overweight children found that those with signs of poor blood sugar regulation had less bone mass, a measure of bone strength. Higher abdominal fat was linked to lower bone mass and more body fat overall was associated with higher bone mass.
Researchers developed motion-tracking technology to track motions while people exercise, providing real-time feedback to reduce future injuries. The technology improves balance, emotional and cognitive health, cardiovascular function, and reduces the likelihood of falls among older adults.
A University at Buffalo study finds that walking to school can reduce stress reactivity in children, leading to lower heart rate and blood pressure. Regular physical activity throughout the day may provide a protective effect against cardiovascular disease.
Harvard researchers have found that exercise and caloric restriction can reverse the deterioration of nerve connections in older mice, a potential explanation for their age-related benefits. The study reveals that these lifestyle factors can attenuate or even reverse the decline in synapses, which are crucial for brain function.
Scientists at NIST evaluated three voice-translation devices designed to improve communications between the US military and non-English speakers. The devices, called TRANSTAC, use automatic speech recognition and text-to-speech technology to translate languages in real-time.
Patients with osteoarthritis who adhere to recommended exercises and physically active lifestyle experience improvements in pain, physical function, and self-perceived effect. Long-term exercise behavior and physical activity also improve the effectiveness of exercise therapy.
Researchers found that regular aerobic exercise improves function, lessens joint pain, and increases quality of life in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis. The study analyzed 14 studies and meta-analysis included 510 patients, showing that cardio-respiratory conditioning is safe and beneficial for this group.
Research found that certain types of arousal can lead to unhealthy food choices and less-healthy decisions. Arousal interfered with the beneficial effect of positive mood on resistance to temptation, especially in situations requiring mental energy.
A new study suggests that exercise can reduce alcohol intake in humans by stimulating brain reward pathways and regulating circadian rhythms. Exercise may provide a beneficial alternative to reducing alcohol consumption, with the 'lazier' hamsters having a greater craving for alcohol when restricted from exercising.
Research by University of Illinois expert Janet Liechty finds that body-image distortion is a better screening tool to identify non-overweight girls at risk for unsafe weight-loss practices. Girls with distorted body-image are more likely to resort to dieting and extreme methods, increasing their risk of continued use.
A six-week hip strengthening regimen significantly reduced patellofemoral pain (PFP) in female runners, with most participants experiencing no pain. The study suggests that stronger hips can correct running form errors contributing to PFP.
A study by Indiana University found that inspiratory muscle training can reduce the oxygen required by breathing muscles during exercise, making more oxygen available for other muscles. This improvement in whole-body endurance performance was previously reported following IMT.
Research suggests that drinking fat-free chocolate milk after exercise can help retain, replenish, and rebuild muscle. It also helps reduce markers of muscle breakdown and improves subsequent exercise performance.
Research by NiCole Keith highlights the need for physicians to consider physical activity levels a vital sign, similar to height and blood pressure. Regular discussions about exercise habits can help reduce stigma and promote healthy behaviors, leading to better weight management outcomes.
Cancer patients can benefit from moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, tailored to individual needs, to improve quality of life, muscular strength, and reduce the risk of recurrence for breast cancer patients. Exercise also helps maintain lean body mass, contributing to increased well-being.
Researchers developed a detailed metabolic profile of exercise effects, revealing changes in over 20 metabolites reflecting sugar, fat, and amino acid processing as fuels. These findings have implications for optimal training programs, nutritional supplements, and potential treatments for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
A new study reveals that reduced energy expenditure is the primary cause of rising body mass index (BMI) levels in children in Great Britain. Despite a marginal increase in total sugar intake, mean body weight and BMI increased significantly over the period.
A new study from UCSF reveals that vigorous physical activity can protect individuals from the effects of stress by reducing its impact on telomere length. The researchers found that even moderate amounts of exercise can provide critical protection for telomeres.
A McMaster University study found that women who drank two large glasses of milk a day after weightlifting gained more muscle and lost more fat compared to those who consumed sugar-based energy drinks. The researchers attributed the gains to the combination of calcium, high-quality protein, and vitamin D in milk.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that exercise programs like ExCITE improve quality of life and reduce fatigue in breast and prostate cancer patients. The study, which followed patients for one year after treatment completion, also showed benefits in physical and psychological well-being.
Researchers at the University of Georgia found that daily ginger supplementation reduces exercise-induced muscle pain by 25 percent. The studies also showed that heat-treating ginger does not enhance its pain-relieving effects.
Researchers found that nearly half of healthy children experience lung dysfunction after intense exercise, with symptoms linked to bronchoconstriction and airway constriction.
Researchers found that traditional aerobic fitness training improved systolic blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion, and peak VO2 levels compared to pedometer-based walking programs. Participants in the supervised fitness program also showed greater adherence rates.
A study published by Greek researchers found that electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can prevent critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM), a common complication of ICU stay. EMS reduced the risk of CIPNM and improved muscle strength in patients, shortening weaning periods and ICU stays.
A study found that pulmonary rehabilitation improves health status in COPD patients with varying levels of obesity, including those with extreme obesity. The research suggests that obese COPD patients may benefit from rehab despite lower exercise capacities.
Research suggests that COPD patients who engage in higher amounts of daily physical activity have better functional exercise tolerance. Increasing normal daily activities like walking or gardening may be more beneficial than formal exercise training. This approach aims to promote a more active lifestyle and improve long-term function.
Researchers at UTMB found that restricting blood flow during low-intensity resistance exercise increases protein synthesis and stimulates muscle growth in older men. The study offers hope for patients who need to regain muscle mass after surgery or due to conditions like arthritis.
Exercise programs improved anxiety and depression symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia, while changes in physical health outcomes were not significant. Regular exercise is recommended for those with schizophrenia, just like the general population.
A study published by the American Physical Therapy Association found that physical therapist-led exercise programs in ICU patients improve functional mobility and reduce hospital stays. The program involved 57 patients who received rehabilitation-based exercise sessions, resulting in a decrease of 2.1 and 3.1 days in ICU and hospital l...
Researchers found that strenuous exercise like running a marathon shifts the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic genes, potentially halting cellular suicide. The study suggests that sirtuin proteins may play a key role in this process, offering new insights into the effects of exercise on cell death.
A team of researchers will study the neurobiological mechanisms behind regular aerobic exercise and its potential to prevent drug abuse relapse. Exercise has been shown to exert anti-stress effects, reducing cravings associated with stress by increasing galanin levels in the brain.
Research found an association between leisure time physical exercise and a future risk of developing fibromyalgia. Women who exercised regularly had a lower risk of developing the condition compared to inactive women. High BMI is also identified as an independent risk factor for future development of FM.
A recent study reveals that laughter can optimize hormone levels, modulate immune activity, and lower blood pressure, similar to the effects of moderate physical exercise. Laughercise, a form of mirthful laughter, may provide an alternative treatment option for patients with wasting disease or depression-related appetite loss.
A new device, Walk n'Play, helps monitor low-level physical activity using a cell phone's motion sensors. The program encourages users to be more active by turning physical activity into a game, promoting incremental changes that can lead to better health.
Researchers found that higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decrease bone mineral density by increasing cytokines, leading to bone breakdown. Exercise has been shown to retain greater bone density in women who engage in more than 180 minutes of physical activity per week.
A study published in the journal Neuroscience found that regular aerobic exercise speeds learning and improves blood flow to the brain's motor cortex. Monkeys who exercised regularly performed better on cognitive tests than their sedentary counterparts, suggesting similar benefits for humans.
Children with more body fat and less endurance have stiffer arteries than their fitter counterparts, according to new research. The study found that identifying these children early could help prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Critically ill patients experience reduced muscle weakness, delirium and hallucinations when introduced to mild exercise programs, with recovery times speeding up by 2-3 days. Patients can exercise while attached to life support equipment, including mechanical ventilators.
A new study found that regular moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during pregnancy reduces offspring birth weight by approximately 143g, while not impacting maternal insulin sensitivity. This reduction in birth weight may lower the risk of obesity later in life.
Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often to treat depression and anxiety. Researchers found that regular exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, stress, and anger. Exercise can fill the gap for those who can't access traditional therapies due to cost or stigma.
Researchers from Texas A&M University show that group brainstorming exercises can lead to fixation on only one idea or possibility, blocking out other ideas and possibilities. Taking a break after brainstorming can help prevent this phenomenon and encourage problem solving.
Researchers from CWRU Nursing School found that one year after a cardiac event, only 37% of participants exercised three times a week to maintain heart health. Women across all age groups were less inclined to make healthy changes compared to men, with younger men sustaining exercise patterns better than other groups.
A new study found that chronic job stress and lack of physical activity are strongly associated with being overweight or obese. Exercise was the key to managing stress and keeping a healthy weight among employees.
Researchers found that arginine supplements improved the cycling ability of older cyclists by increasing their anaerobic threshold. The study, published in Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, showed a significant increase in exercise capacity after just one week of supplementation.
A physical therapy exercise and health education program has been shown to improve postnatal well-being and reduce the risk of postnatal depression. The study found that the program reduced depressive symptoms and improved psychological well-being in new mothers, with a significant positive effect at 8 weeks after completion.
Scientists use repeat photography to study riparian areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of experiential learning in understanding spatial and temporal variability. Participants found that using photographs enhanced their understanding of these concepts, especially climate change impacts.
Researchers at Rutgers University developed a modified PlayStation 3-based system to improve hand functions in teenagers with cerebral palsy. The system improved participants' abilities to perform daily activities such as brushing teeth and dressing.
Researchers at McMaster University found that interval training can be an effective and time-efficient way to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. The study involved eight to 12 one-minute bouts of exercise with rest intervals, resulting in a total of 20-25 minutes per session.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that short-term high-intensity interval training (HIT) can be an effective alternative to traditional long-term exercise. By incorporating brief bursts of intense exercise, individuals can improve muscle function and burn fat without needing extensive exercise time.
Researchers discovered mitochondrial protein and gene anomalies in young obese subjects with type 2 diabetes, leading to insulin resistance and reduced physical exercise response. The study highlights the need for specific treatments for each patient subtype.
Researchers at University of Missouri found that exercising during weight regain maintains improvements in metabolic health and disease risk. The study, led by Tom R. Thomas, indicates that exercise can counter negative effects of weight regain on conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.