Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A recent study found that gardening can improve hand strength and self-esteem in older adults, as well as provide moderate physical activity. Researchers at Kansas State University assessed 15 areas of health in older gardeners compared to non-gardeners, revealing the benefits of gardening on hand function and psychological well-being.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that a warm-up of 15-20 minutes with simple surgical exercises improves proficiency and alertness in surgeons. The research shows that warm-up exercises can benefit even fatigued surgeons, leading to better performance during operations.
A University of Delaware study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that strengthening exercises for the quadriceps after knee replacement surgery significantly improves function and can even surpass that of a healthy adult. The study's results suggest that patients should be encouraged to participate in progressive quadriceps ...
Patients with intermittent claudication may benefit from supervised exercise instead of revascularization. After six and 12 months, patients experienced similar improvements in functional capacity and quality of life scores.
Individuals with chronic back and neck pain are less likely to receive exercise prescriptions, with physical therapists prescribing it most frequently. Exercise is a moderately effective therapy for this highly disabling illness, but its underutilization may hinder treatment outcomes.
Two studies found that exercise significantly improves quadriceps strength and function after knee replacement, while certain activities increase risk of osteoarthritis. Rehabilitation targeting impaired areas is essential for optimal recovery.
A systematic review found motor control exercises can significantly reduce pain and disability in patients with persistent low back pain. These exercises help regain control of trunk muscles, leading to improved physical activity and positive effects over time.
A study by researchers at UCSF found that behavioral weight-loss programs can significantly reduce urinary incontinence in overweight and obese women. Participants who lost an average of 17 pounds experienced a 47% reduction in incontinence episodes compared to those in the control group.
A six-month diet, exercise, and behavior modification program resulted in significant weight loss and reduced urinary incontinence episodes per week by nearly half. The study found that such programs can be an effective first-line treatment for overweight and obese women.
Research published in BMC Endocrine Disorders shows that regular high-intensity interval training can significantly improve insulin action and glucose clearance. A three-minute sprint workout every couple of days may be the best way to cut the risk of diabetes, with substantial improvements in metabolic prowess seen within two weeks.
A review of studies on exercise and osteoarthritis found no harm in regular, low-impact physical activity. Vigorous exercise is beneficial for both physical and mental well-being, with body weight being the largest modifiable risk factor for knee OA.
A randomized clinical trial involving sedentary obese older adults found that a combination of resistance and aerobic exercises improved insulin resistance and functional limitations. The study showed greater improvements with combined exercise compared to individual types of exercise.
Researchers developed a model explaining how consumers categorize new hybrid products, finding that activation flows through category structures. The Category Activation Model predicts positioning a new subcategory under relevant parent categories with many subcategories connected
A study published in JAMA Network found that abnormal diastolic function in the left ventricle is strongly associated with reduced maximum exercise capacity. Factors such as age, female sex, and body mass index also play a role in determining exercise capacity.
A Canadian study found that psychological concerns, such as self-efficacy and motivation/intention, are the most important barriers to an active lifestyle. The study's findings highlight the need for health promotion programs to enhance people's confidence and motivation.
A clinical trial from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that supervised exercise can improve walking endurance for people with peripheral arterial disease. Participants were able to walk an average of 69 feet further after six months of supervised treadmill walking, and reported a better quality of life.
A Brazilian city government program offering free exercise classes in public spaces increased physical activity among community members. The study found that participants were three times more likely to exercise than non-participants, highlighting the potential of similar programs in US cities.
Researchers found that individuals with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy can reduce foot ulcer risk through supervised walking programs. The study suggests weight-bearing exercise is safe if properly monitored by a medical professional.
Patients with PAD who participated in supervised treadmill exercise showed significant improvements in walking endurance and quality of life. The exercise program also improved walking performance for those without classic symptoms of pain in the leg muscles.
The UK government's three-year anti-obesity initiative has been criticized for allowing commercial sponsorships from companies like PepsiCo and Kelloggs, who contribute to the rising obesity problem. The Lancet Editorial argues that these partnerships are ill-judged and undermine the campaign's goal of behavior change.
According to Kansas State University researcher David Dzewaltowski, Wii Fit can be an effective tool to promote physical activity and create or maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, the game's health measurements, such as BMI calculation and fitness age measurement, have flaws and are not suitable for children.
Research shows that protein sports drinks are superior to carbohydrate-only drinks in improving cyclists' recovery from exercise. The study found that subjects who consumed a mix of carbohydrate and protein had lower self-reported fatigue levels and increased fat oxidation.
The F-MARC project aims to investigate the long-term cardio-vascular and musculo-skeletal health effects of regular football and jogging participation. The research focuses on premenopausal untrained women and middle-aged men with hypertension, aiming to provide scientific recommendations for millions of soccer players worldwide.
A new study published in the Spine journal found that manual physical therapy and exercise significantly improves neck pain, reducing mechanical neck pain and disability. Physical therapists can provide a conservative solution to musculoskeletal pain without expensive surgery or medication side effects.
New research shows regular exercise can significantly improve peripheral artery disease (PAD) symptoms by increasing collateral blood flow and enhancing vascular efficiency. Exercise training can delay pain onset and increase mobility in people with PAD.
A Kansas State University graduate student has found a correlation between childhood obesity and asthma. Healthy children with higher body fat levels and lower physical activity had greater airway narrowing after exercise, suggesting an early link to asthma diagnosis.
A new study shows that aerobic exercise affects the release of two key appetite hormones, ghrelin and peptide YY, more effectively than non-aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise suppresses hunger by decreasing ghrelin levels and increasing peptide YY levels, leading to a greater suppression of hunger compared to weight lifting.
A University of Alberta study found that weight training using resistance equipment improved pain and function levels by 60%, compared to aerobic training which only showed a 12% improvement. This whole-body approach strengthened the entire body, decreasing fatigue and enabling daily activities.
Researchers found that exercise increased cerebral blood flow and the number of small blood vessels in the brain of older adults. The study suggests that regular physical activity may help prevent age-related cognitive decline by improving brain health.
A recent study published in Diabetes Care highlights the significant barriers faced by type 1 diabetics when it comes to engaging in physical activity. The researchers found that those with a greater fear of hypoglycemia were also more likely to have poorer diabetes control, emphasizing the need for targeted education and support.
A rescue robot exercise was held at Disaster City, Texas, where about three dozen robots were tested by developers and first responders. The event aimed to develop a standard suite of performance tests for candidate mechanical rescuers in urban search and rescue missions.
A new study finds that regular aerobic exercise significantly reduces anger expression and aggressive behavior in overweight but otherwise healthy children. The 10-15 week afterschool exercise program improved the children's ability to control their anger and aggression, according to the Pediatric Anger Expression Scale.
Researchers found that calorie restriction and exercise can modify pathways leading to mTOR, a molecule involved in cell growth. Calorie restriction showed more global effects on cell signaling, suggesting it may produce a more potent anti-cancer effect.
A new study confirms that exercise can reverse the age-related decline in neural stem cells in the hippocampus of mouse brains. Exercise restores a brain chemical promoting new stem cell production and maturation.
A home-based intervention improved body weight, diet quality, and physical function in older long-term cancer survivors. The RENEW trial found significant strength improvements and increased physical activity among participants.
A University of Chicago Press Journals study finds that unrealistic optimism in exercising leads to overestimation, costly treadmill purchases, and a more decisive personality. Researchers suggest instructing consumers to be less idealistic may improve realistic estimates.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute brisk walk can reduce chocolate cravings in regular eaters. The exercise not only lowered cravings during the walk but also for at least ten minutes afterwards.
Patients with moderate to severe heart failure who exercise regularly have a lower risk of hospitalization or death, according to a comprehensive study. The study found that exercise led to an 11% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death for those in the exercise group.
According to the American Dietetic Association's 2008 survey, two-thirds of consumers believe diet and nutrition are very important for their personal health. Meanwhile, younger adults and those with lower education levels tend to be less concerned about these aspects. The results indicate a shift towards healthier habits among Americans.
A new synthetic chemical entity activates the SIRT1 pathway, improving glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and exercise endurance in mice fed a high-fat diet. The study demonstrates that this activation primarily promotes fat consumption in skeletal muscle, liver, and brown adipose tissue.
Combining aerobic and high-force eccentric resistance exercise improved glucose control, physical performance, and body fat composition in people with type 2 diabetes. Patients who participated in a 16-week supervised exercise training program showed significant advantages over those in an aerobic-only exercise program.
A study found that participants who received exercise instructions in a difficult font were less motivated to engage in regular exercise, whereas those who received easy-to-read instructions were more willing to adopt the habit. Similarly, a recipe with a hard-to-read format led to lower willingness to attempt making sushi compared to ...
A study of over 32,000 American women found that vigorous physical activity significantly lowers the risk of breast cancer. While non-vigorous activities did not offer protection, researchers suggest mechanisms like reduced inflammation and immune function may contribute to this benefit.
A new study found that exercise can prevent fatty liver disease, with obese individuals at high risk. The researchers discovered that a sudden transition to a sedentary lifestyle can lead to symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
A clinical trial reveals that combining ivabradine with current treatments significantly improves exercise capacity and reduces symptoms in patients with stable angina. The study showed a threefold improvement in total exercise duration at four months compared to those receiving standard doses of beta blockers alone.
A University of Iowa study identifies a faulty signaling pathway that causes exercise-induced fatigue in mouse models of muscular dystrophy. The research suggests that targeting this pathway may lead to therapies for this type of fatigue. Viagra was shown to overcome the signaling defect and relieve the fatigue.
Researchers found that self-efficacy is a strong predictor of physical activity levels at 12 months, while access to home exercise equipment was more predictive of adoption. Decisional balance, behavioral processes, outcome expectations, and enjoyment also play significant roles in maintaining physical activity.
A recent study found that physically active individuals before suffering a stroke tend to have less severe problems and recover better compared to those who were inactive. The top 25% of people in the study group were two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer a less severe stroke.
Convergence insufficiency affects children's ability to focus and align their eyes while viewing objects up close, impacting reading and concentration. Researchers discovered that structured therapy sessions in a doctor's office and reinforcement eye exercises at home improve vision faster than home-based therapies alone. The study, sp...
A study published in Archives of Diseases in Childhood found that only 42% of boys and 11% of girls met the recommended daily exercise level, suggesting a need for revised guidelines. Exercise improved metabolic health, but diet changes were deemed more effective at improving overall health and weight.
A new drug class, ranolazine, has been approved for the treatment of chronic stable angina, providing a safe and effective alternative to existing treatments. Ranolazine has been shown to reduce anginal episodes by one attack per week and extend exercise time before an angina attack develops, with benefits seen in men more than women.
Studies assess the impact of demographic factors on complication rates in body contouring patients. Men are found to be at higher risk for bleeding and fluid collection, while nutritional status and exercise participation may not significantly influence overall complication rates.
The new guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week during pregnancy, with benefits including reduced risk of complications and improved long-term child health. Regular postpartum physical activity also supports a woman's overall health and weight management.
Adults with arthritis who received exercise interventions with educational components experienced significant improvements in physical functioning and pain reduction. These patients also reported increased muscle strength and better mental health, compared to those without such interventions.
A recent paper by George Mason University professor Chris Parsons highlights the link between US Navy sonar and mass whale strandings worldwide. The study reveals that sonar is killing more whales than previously known, emphasizing the need for stricter environmental policies.
A study by Temple University researchers found that obese women face significant mental barriers to exercise, including feeling self-conscious, fearing injury, and having perceived poor health. These aversions can significantly hinder their ability to engage in physical activity and adhere to a weight loss plan.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that severely obese individuals who exercised just one hour a week reported better overall-quality of life and improved ability to perform daily tasks. Even small amounts of physical activity can lead to significant improvements in quality of life, regardless of weight.
Researchers found that the brain utilizes lactate as fuel during intense physical activity, outpacing glucose usage. This discovery sheds light on the brain's energy needs and has potential implications for treatment and athletic performance.
A pilot study found that occupational therapy training, combined with regular exercise, increased physical activity levels in patients with osteoarthritis. The study suggests that this approach could be an effective way to promote wellness among individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis.
Racing sled dogs have an extraordinary ability to rapidly adapt to sustained strenuous exercise and display enormous aerobic capacity. They can burn up to 12,000 kilocalories per day, fueling their runs with a high-fat diet.