Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A systematic review found exercise snacking significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness in adults, with high compliance rates. However, its impact on muscular endurance and cardiometabolic factors was limited.
A new study by Edith Cowan University found that athletes experience atherogenic muscle inhibition after ACL reconstruction, impacting their return to sports. The research also identified changes in brain pathways within two weeks of surgery, which may contribute to the activation deficit issues.
A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that increases in mental health most strongly predict improvements in life satisfaction. The researchers used data from a weekly running event and found that even small improvements in mental health can lead to significant increases in life satisfaction.
Researchers exploring how exercise stress affects cellular adaptations and disease risk, focusing on mitochondrial energy sensing and AMPK activation. The study aims to determine if increasing mitoAMPK activity can mitigate diabetes in skeletal muscle.
Fitter individuals have lower resting heart rates and use fewer total heartbeats per day compared to sedentary people. Regular exercise can improve heart function and reduce long-term cardiovascular risk, according to new Australian research.
A new study found that mice who stopped exercising for four weeks and then retrained showed greater muscle mass gains compared to those who exercised continuously. The researchers discovered that the second bout of exercise activated genes involved in mitochondrial function, leading to increased muscle growth.
The Singapore government has launched a nationwide initiative to help seniors age well through dance, combining movement, rhythm, and storytelling. The program, co-developed by NUS Nursing and Lions Befrienders, benefits over 280 seniors with improved physical health, cognition, and emotional well-being.
A new study found that exercise-based rehabilitation programs can improve immune cell function in individuals with post-COVID syndrome. This leads to reduced inflammation and symptoms such as fatigue and joint pain. The research suggests that exercise may help restore a more normal, well-regulated immune system.
A new study found that pediatric athletes' cardiovascular systems adapt to increased fitness with abnormal changes, including increased cardiac mass, central blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and carotid intima-media thickness. These changes are not yet fully understood and may have long-term effects on cardiovascular health.
A new study from Tel Aviv University found that the percentage of fat in a child's liver is a critical factor in determining their overall health, rather than just their body weight. The researchers discovered that children with lower liver fat levels were less likely to develop metabolic illnesses, even if they were obese.
A study from Texas A&M University's School of Public Health reveals that regular physical activity can lower the risk of depression and sleep disorders in older smokers. Smokers aged 40-59 who meet physical activity guidelines were more likely to report moderate depressive symptoms, while those aged 60+ were more prone to sleep disorders.
A large-scale study of over 17,000 pupils and 2,300 teachers found dramatic differences in physical activity levels across England, with some schools achieving double or triple the levels of others. The research highlights growing evidence that children in deprived areas face bigger barriers to physical activity, even during school hours.
The NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador program brings mascot energy to encourage active, healthy kids. With the American Heart Association's guidance, the initiative aims to help kids achieve a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
The latest Global Burden of Disease study reveals a significant increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden worldwide, with CVD causing one in three deaths globally. The report estimates that 79.6% of all CVD deaths are attributable to modifiable risk factors, which has increased globally by 97.4 million since 1990.
A new national study found nearly one in four older adults who started off in poor health and lower well-being can fully recover within three years. Strong psychological and emotional wellness, maintaining a healthy body weight, regular physical activity, and social engagement were key factors associated with recovery.
A study found that lactate IV infusion increases brain-rejuvenating hormone BDNF levels in the bloodstream, similar to those after high-intensity exercise. The hormone promotes nerve cell growth and survival. Researchers suggest moderate exercise may be necessary for optimal benefits.
A recent study found that cold temperatures combined with mental fatigue impair endurance exercise performance. Individuals experiencing increased subjective fatigue showed decreased performance. The Sympathetic Adrenal-Medullary system is involved in the increase of fatigue rather than the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis.
Research from the University of Copenhagen shows that exercising in nature improves mood, reduces stress levels, and boosts heart rate. Participants who exercised outdoors reported greater joy, satisfaction, and optimism than those who exercised in urban or indoor environments.
A study led by Syracuse University researchers found that simple resistance training can improve nerve function in older adults, potentially leading to greater independence and quality of life. The training reactivated fast neurons in the muscles, which deteriorate with age, allowing for faster muscle activation and improved strength.
A randomised trial found that regular exercise reduced inflammation and improved endothelial function, leading to lower risk of heart attack and strokes. Exercise maintained weight loss without GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide.
A large-scale U.S-based randomized trial shows that intensive lifestyle changes can significantly improve global cognition in older adults at high risk of cognitive decline. The intervention emphasized regular physical activity, healthy diet, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, leading to clinically meaningful improvements. T...
A new study found that high-quality animal protein foods have different effects on muscle-building responses to weight training. The research suggests that whole foods, such as lean pork burgers, may be better at stimulating post-workout protein synthesis than processed counterparts.
Home high-intensity aerobic training outperforms home balance training in improving ataxia symptoms, fatigue, and aerobic fitness among those with cerebellar ataxias. Regular training maintained benefits at 1 year.
Research from Edith Cowan University found that both resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduced breast cancer cell growth by 22-25%. Both types of exercise also increased lean muscle and decreased body fat after 12 weeks of training.
Children with variable levels of walking impairment experience significant physical activity, social engagement, and family life improvements. Parents also report increased confidence, self-belief, and reduced anxiety in their children.
A 12-week high-intensity interval training intervention did not improve hippocampal integrity or cognitive/mental health impairments, but reduced cannabis craving. Regular physical exercise may be a potential strategy for managing cannabis use disorder.
A new study by New York University researchers finds that as a run gets harder, athletes focus on the mechanics of finishing rather than broader motivational self-talk. Runners get to the finish line more so by using focused attentional tactics.
High consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that individuals who consumed the most ultra-processed foods had significantly higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a key marker of inflammation.
Children undergoing cancer treatment often lose skeletal muscle at a time when they should be rapidly gaining it, which can increase treatment complications and raise the risk of long-term health problems. Muscle loss makes children more vulnerable to heart and metabolic issues like high blood sugar and insulin resistance.
A new review emphasizes the importance of both physical activity and reduced sedentary time for optimal skeletal health. Emerging evidence reveals that prolonged sitting and inactivity can harm bone health, even among regular exercisers.
New research from Edith Cowan University found that increased muscle temperature enhances the speed and power of muscles, especially in explosive movements. The study showed a 3.5% improvement in performance for every 1°C increase in muscle temperature.
Researchers at Tohoku University discovered a way to strengthen legs through daily etiquette, known as Rei-ho, which emphasizes slow and controlled movements. The study found that those who practiced Rei-ho for five minutes daily increased their knee extension strength by an average of 25.9%, compared to only 2.5% in the control group.
A clinical trial found that pork-based meals supported better recovery, mood and anabolic status in military cadets compared to plant-based meals. Cadets who consumed lean pork-based meals showed reduced muscle soreness and inflammation, while improving testosterone levels.
A study by São Paulo State University found a direct association between adults' levels of physical activity and their children's sedentary behavior. Children of inactive parents tend to be more sedentary, but when mothers and fathers maintain an active routine, their children usually follow suit.
A customizable SMS system produced significant 12-month walking increases for aging Latino/a adults, similar to the human advisors group. The study supports mobile health platforms as a viable option for expanding program choices for broader segments of the population.
Researchers at Duke University developed a wireless patch that non-invasively measures skin and tissue stiffness, providing real-time feedback for medical applications like wound healing and chronic conditions. The technology also has potential for athletic performance optimization and rehabilitation.
A new study from La Trobe University found that knee crepitus, a common symptom of grinding or clicking sounds in the knee joint, does not predict joint damage over time. In fact, those with knee crepitus showed more severe symptoms early on but did not experience worsening pain and function in the long term.
A new study found that over 34% of children don't engage in outdoor play on school days, while one in five don't at weekends. This lack of outdoor play is linked to various health issues, including obesity, anxiety, and depression. The research highlights the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces for children to play outside.
A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Hepatology shows that healthy eating and increased physical activity significantly lower the risk of liver-related death, even among heavy and binge drinkers. The research analyzed data from over 60,000 US adults and found that adherence to high levels of physical activity and/or diet q...
A new study of young adults found that better sleep quality is strongly linked to improved mental wellbeing, with fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity also showing benefits. The study suggests that boosting fruit and vegetable intake may help mitigate the effects of poor sleep on wellbeing.
A cross-sectional study found that greater lean mass and fitness are associated with fewer anxiety and depression symptoms in preadolescent children. Higher visceral adipose tissue, on the other hand, is linked to increased symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
A Mediterranean-style diet, along with reduced caloric intake and moderate physical activity, has been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 31%. The study found that participants in the intervention group lost an average of 3.3 kilograms and reduced their waist circumference by 3.6 centimeters.
The Journal of Applied Sports Sciences has transitioned to the ARPHA platform, enhancing accessibility and visibility of research in sports sciences. The journal operates under a Diamond Open Access model, allowing for free access to all research outputs without article processing charges.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that NFL players who play wide receiver or tight end are at a higher risk of suffering an injury to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The study examined 520 tears over a ten-year period and found that contact injuries and non-contact mechanisms, such as landing from a jum...
Research shows that cardiovascular health scores among older adults with high blood pressure, stroke, or heart failure decreased significantly. The study analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, finding that physical activity and blood pressure scores were low for those with cardiovascular disease.
A McMaster study found that older adults who participated in a community-based exercise program were able to maintain their function, lessen expected age-related fitness changes, and in some cases reverse them. The program's combination of social support and evidence-based physical activity promoted long-term health benefits.
A new study suggests that regular exercise can influence epigenetic aging and potentially reverse it, offering a promising way to extend healthspan. Physical fitness is closely associated with slower epigenetic aging, and sedentary behavior may have detrimental effects on the body's internal aging process.
The University of Birmingham is rolling out the REACT programme, a group-based exercise programme proven to support people with mobility limitations, to regions around England. The three-year programme aims to improve and maintain physical function and reduce health care costs in older adults.
A new study from UNCG researchers suggests giving children just nine minutes of high-intensity interval exercise can improve their academic performance. The study found that when the same 25 students engaged in this type of exercise, they scored significantly higher on a standardized test measuring verbal comprehension compared to when...
Research by sports scientists reveals that high-performance athletes face unique mental health challenges despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for depression prevention and treatment. The study highlights specific pressures faced by elite athletes, including performance nerves, injury concerns, and identity crises.
A new study found that self-reported physical activity is associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events in individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Higher levels of physical activity were linked to lower risks of cardiovascular disease and death, even after adjusting for other risk fac...
Researchers found that users who continued to use the app were more active than before, with average increases in brisk and non-brisk walking over time. After 30 months, users still used the app were doing more physical activity than beforehand.
A new study from University of California San Diego found that frequent standing breaks can lower diastolic blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Women who increased daily sit-to-stand movements saw measurable improvements in blood pressure, with an average decrease of 2.24 mmHg within three months.
The University of Bath conducted the largest growth and maturation study in world football, evaluating over 1,000 academy players in Scotland. The study found a strong bias toward early-developing players, raising questions about current selection and development practices.
A landmark study found that adopting five healthy lifestyle habits—healthy weight, no smoking, regular physical activity, high-quality diet, and moderate alcohol intake—can reduce cardiovascular disease risk by up to 86% in women with a history of gestational diabetes. Women who followed all these habits had no cardiovascular events ov...
A study found that users who exchanged daily walking steps for digital train tickets increased their walking by an average of 626.2 steps/day. Those using shopping coupon incentives walked 715.2 steps/day more on average than non-users. The results suggest effective promotion of active travel through well-designed mHealth apps.
A novel analysis confirms the benefits of regular walking at a faster pace in improving health, particularly for low-income and Black populations. The study found that fast walking as little as 15 minutes a day was associated with a nearly 20% reduction in total mortality.
Pooled data analysis shows exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation significantly improves AF symptom severity, frequency, and length, while reducing risk of recurrence. It also enhances exercise capacity and mental health without adverse effects.
The US POINTER trial found that a structured lifestyle intervention of regular exercise, adherence to the MIND diet and social engagement had greater benefits on global cognition compared to an unstructured intervention. The study showed significant cognitive benefit after two years in older adults at elevated risk of Alzheimer disease.
A single bout of exercise increases myokine levels, reducing cancer growth by 20-30%. Regular exercise helps reduce inflammation and improve body composition, leading to a lower risk of recurrence and mortality.