Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A new study suggests that frequent bursts of physical activity throughout the day can be just as beneficial to children's health as longer exercise sessions. The research found that short, moderate-intensity activities accumulated over a shorter period were associated with better health outcomes.
Researchers found that a high-calorie exercise program involving daily long-distance walking resulted in greater fat mass loss and improved insulin sensitivity compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation. After five months, the high-calorie group showed significant improvements in heart risk factors and weight reduction.
A new study by New Zealand researchers found that regular face-to-face interaction with a supportive health professional is crucial for maintaining weight loss. Nurse-led programs with weekly or bi-weekly weigh-ins showed similar success rates to more expensive intensive programs.
A six-month study found that Power Plate exercise aided in significant weight loss (11% body weight) and reduced visceral fat compared to diet and conventional fitness alone. Regular Power Plate exercise also outperformed dieting with low-impact results.
A study found that vibration plate exercise, combined with a calorie-restricted diet, led to significant long-term weight loss and fat reduction. The intervention group lost an average of 10.5% body weight and 47.8 square centimeters of visceral fat, compared to the control group who gained weight.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the balanced media coverage of the H1N1 outbreak, noting its relative morbidity and mortality. The article also commends health authorities for their measured responses to the crisis, preparing them for a potentially more devastating pandemic.
Regular exercise has been shown to improve markers of heart disease in post-CABG patients, event-free survival rate in coronary patients compared to stent angioplasty, and endothelial function in heart failure patients. The benefits were seen regardless of age, with improvements in physical capacity, lipids, inflammation, and endotheli...
A study of 188 school children found that daily exercise reduced the prevalence of obesity by 29% and improved levels of HDL-cholesterol. Regular physical activity also increased exercise capacity and decreased systolic blood pressure in the children, with significant benefits observed even after just one year.
A Queen's University research team challenges the common belief that massage after exercise improves circulation to the muscle and removes lactic acid. Their study reveals that massage actually impairs blood flow to the muscle after exercise, resulting in impaired removal of lactic acid.
A study found that children who received more physical education time in school compensated by doing less at home, while those with less PE time made up for it by being more active at home. The researchers propose a central control mechanism similar to appetite in the brain, known as activitystat, which regulates physical activity levels.
A recent study suggests that exercises can improve symptoms of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by promoting remodeling of the upper airways. After three months, patients in the exercise group showed significant improvements in oxygen saturation levels, snoring symptoms, and quality of sleep scores.
A new study by Karolinska Institutet shows that extra support encourages more women to cycle to and from work, increasing daily physical activity levels. The intervention group achieved a larger proportion of cycling two kilometres or more per day than the control group.
Researchers found that exercise programs significantly reduced lung cancer symptoms in patients who completed the study, with no deterioration in functional capacity or muscle strength. The study suggests that community-based or shorter exercise programs may be more feasible for lung cancer patients to complete.
A new study from Brown University found that statewide weight loss competitions can be an effective way to promote weight loss in large numbers of people. The study, which evaluated the Shape Up Rhode Island 2007 program, showed that individuals who increased their activity levels achieved the best weight losses.
Researchers identified 19 volunteers with high dietary self-control and 18 without, showing differences in brain activity. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) modulates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) to incorporate health considerations into decisions.
Researchers found that men with highest increase in heart rate during mild mental stress had twice the risk of dying from a heart attack. The study suggests cheap and easy ways to predict who might be at risk, using pulse measurement as a prognostic marker.
A new study by Ohio State University finds that most NCAA athletic trainers are not following best practice standards for managing asthma among athletes. The research suggests that a majority of programs are not adhering to national guidelines, which emphasize education, management protocols, and medical professional involvement.
A Temple-led study found that a two-phased program combining body image group counseling sessions and nicotine patches was more effective in helping young women quit smoking and maintain weight loss. The program showed an 18% rate of smoking cessation, compared to 8% for the exercise-only group.
A new University of Illinois study suggests that moderate exercise can reduce visceral fat inflammation, even without a change in diet. The benefits were apparent in both short-term and long-term studies, with significant reductions in belly fat and improved insulin sensitivity found in mice.
A study of over 2,000 seniors found that quitting smoking can slow down gait and improve overall health. Changing bad habits such as poor food choices and lack of exercise can also have a significant impact on senior health.
A study published at Experimental Biology 2009 found that regular exercise prevents the disruption of the blood-brain barrier caused by methamphetamine use. The study showed that exercising mice were protected from increased oxidative stress and permeability in the brain, while sedentary mice experienced damage.
A study of 227 breast cancer patients found that those with greater depressive symptoms and lower emotional quality of life were less likely to exercise as part of their recovery. Despite initial increases, physical activity declined over time, suggesting the need for future interventions to support long-term engagement.
Research reveals that exercising during pregnancy does not require sacrificing time for other activities. Exercisers actually spent slightly more sleep and reading time, while non-exercisers spent more on TV/computer time. The study also found significant differences in BMI and maternal weight between exercisers and non-exercisers.
A new study found that oral contraceptive use impairs muscle gains in young women, with lower hormone levels and elevated cortisol concentrations. The researchers also noted significant differences in lean mass gains between OC users and non-users.
Researchers found that maternal exercise was associated with increased fetal breathing movements and improved fetal heart rate variability. Fetal breathing movements are a marker of fetal well-being and reflect functional development of the respiratory system and central nervous system control.
Consuming a low-glycemic breakfast before exercise may boost fat oxidation during and after physical activity. A recent study found that this type of pre-exercise meal increased fat metabolism in sedentary individuals, potentially aiding in weight loss efforts.
A clinical trial found that exercise significantly improves the lives of heart failure patients by improving physical limitations, symptoms, and overall quality of life. The study, which enrolled over 2,300 patients, showed a five-point gain on quality-of-life measures for those who exercised, compared to those who received standard care.
Patients with moderate to severe heart failure who exercised regularly had a 11% lower risk of hospitalization or death compared to those who didn't exercise. Exercise also reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and complications related to heart failure.
A clinical trial found that regular exercise significantly improved the quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure, reducing the risk of death and hospitalization. The study also revealed that exercise was well-tolerated and safe, with participants reporting fewer physical and social limitations.
Aerobic exercise training was associated with a modest reduction in the risk of death and hospitalization in patients with heart failure. The study found that exercise adherence decreased over time, but there was no significant difference in mortality rates between the exercise training group and the usual care group.
Pulmonary rehabilitation improves aerobic function, reducing breathlessness in COPD patients. Supervised exercise also decreases anxiety and depression by enabling patients to master new skills.
A new study suggests that astronauts need to modify their workouts to avoid extensive muscle loss during long-duration missions in space. Muscle biopsies taken from astronauts revealed an average of 15% muscle mass loss and 20-30% loss of muscle performance, posing risks to crewmembers' health.
Despite exercising for three months, octogenarian women failed to increase muscle mass, but showed improved efficiency in activating and synchronizing their muscles. The study suggests that it's essential to build as much muscle mass as possible earlier in life to ensure more strength in later years.
Research shows in-clinic therapy and at-home reinforcement are more effective than home-based programs in treating convergence insufficiency, a condition that affects students' performance in school.
A recent study by Charles Hillman and Darla Castelli found that physical activity can improve children's cognitive control and academic achievement. Children who engaged in a 20-minute walking session performed better on flanker tasks and showed improved event-related brain potentials.
A study by University of Illinois professor Robert Motl found that caffeine reduces muscle pain during high-intensity exercise in both caffeine-naïve individuals and habitual users. The study suggests that pain during exercise may not show tolerance effects to caffeine.
A Henry Ford Health study found that increasing exercise parameters improves quality of life and reduces hospitalization and death risk in heart failure patients. Patients who exercised for 25 minutes at moderate intensity lowered their estimated risk by 10-25 percent.
Research suggests that air pollution is a significant contributor to heart disease, particularly among the elderly, those with coronary artery disease, diabetics, women, and obese individuals. Exposure to particulate matter can increase blood pressure, activate enzymes that cause plaque rupture, and lead to a heart attack.
A study found that stroke survivors who practiced tai chi improved their balance and reduced the risk of falls. Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that requires concentration and balance control, and can be taught to community centers or parks.
A new study by Queen's University researchers found that children who engage in longer periods of sustained physical activity are less likely to become obese. The study analyzed data from over 2,400 youth aged eight to 17 and confirmed the benefits of sustained, rather than sporadic, exercise.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that daily exercise for 20-40 minutes significantly improved depressive symptoms and self-esteem in overweight children. The researchers noted a dose response benefit, with more exercise leading to greater benefits.
Researchers studying the genetics of exercise have identified about 200 genes that play a role in adapting to physical activity. These genes may hold the key to understanding muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and could lead to new treatments for individuals with limited genetic ability to adapt.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that protein TBC1D1 plays a crucial role in glucose transport into muscle cells after exercise. This finding could lead to new drug therapies or more effective exercise protocols for preventing Type 2 diabetes and other health problems associated with high blood sugar.
A study found that a rate of at least 100 steps per minute achieves moderate intensity activity, supporting a simple pedometer-based recommendation of 3000 steps in 30 minutes. The research suggests using a single and simple pedometer-based guideline for effective health communication.
A recent study published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology found that mice with increased metabolism live just as long as those with slower metabolic rates, casting doubt on the rate-of-living theory. This contradicts the idea that faster living animals die young.
Research by UNSW reveals oestrogen reduces energy burning after eating, resulting in more stored fat around the body. Oestrogen's role in regulating body fat has implications for dietary advice and exercise regimes during pregnancy.
A new poll by National Sleep Foundation finds that 1/3 of Americans are losing sleep due to economic concerns and personal financial worries. The poll highlights the negative impact of inadequate sleep on health, safety, and productivity.
Research from the University of Illinois suggests that weight-loss campaigns promoting exercise may cause people to consume more food. Viewers exposed to messages urging physical activity ate significantly more than those who saw similar messages without a fitness focus.
A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that high-impact activities like running can have a greater positive effect on bone mineral density (BMD) than resistance training. The research found that runners had greater spine BMD than cyclists, and that high-impact activity may override the benefits of lean body mass on BMD.
Researchers at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and the Wisconsin School of Business found that people are consistently overly optimistic when predicting future behavior. By asking individuals to make two sets of predictions - one ideal and one realistic - participants reported more accurate estimates and improved decision-ma...
Researchers found that physically fit elderly adults have larger hippocampi and better spatial memory than their less fit counterparts. The study suggests that exercise can influence brain structure and cognitive function, with implications for aging and independence.
A study found that mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans, causing participants to exhaust more quickly. The researchers speculate that perception of effort occurs in the brain and may be linked to dopamine levels.
Researchers found that a baseline threshold VO2max of 8.3 ml/kg/min can predict mortality in IPF patients, with those below the threshold having a higher risk of death. The study suggests VO2max as a more robust and clinically usable predictor than other measures.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute developed mobile sleep lab for home use, recording vital functions while sleeping. The device provides objective feedback on physical exercise levels, helping patients with heart problems and cardiovascular disease manage their conditions.
A systematic review of high-quality trials found exercise to be significantly effective in preventing new episodes of low-back problems. Meanwhile, popular prevention methods such as reduced lifting programs and ergonomic interventions were ineffective.
A comprehensive analysis of 52 studies found that physical activity significantly lowers the risk of colon cancer. Regular exercise is associated with a 24% lower risk, regardless of intensity or duration.
A new study reveals that exercise can help reduce cigarette cravings by changing the way the brain processes information. Researchers used fMRI scans to investigate how physical activity affects brain activity among smokers, finding a significant reduction in cravings after exercise.
A study found that exercise boosts physical and mental well-being in postmenopausal women, improving aspects such as bodily pain, general health perception, and social functioning. The research suggests that the benefits of exercise are dose-dependent and independent of weight loss.
Two studies tracked 31,000 runners for seven years and found that running reduced the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Vigorous exercise may be a key factor in preventing eye disease, particularly among men who ran more than 5.7 miles per day.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that volunteering in grade schools increases physical activity in older black women, which remains high for at least three years. The study suggests that volunteer programs can be a win-win for both the elderly and the community, promoting intergenerational social connections.