Research on physical activity and how it affects health. Covers running and step counts, disease risk reduction, fitness tracking, and exercise physiology.
A study suggests that kinking in the iliac arteries is a common cause of blood flow restriction in endurance athletes, particularly cyclists and speed skaters. Surgical release of these kinks can improve performance and enable athletes to return to competition, with 87% successfully returning to their desired level.
A new study found that a single session of moderately intense exercise improves cognitive function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in verbal fluency. The effects are cumulative, suggesting that regular physical activity is necessary to maintain mental benefits.
The study found that all participants exceeded their maximum heart rate target, with slow heart-rate recovery common among them. Dr. Murray Mittleman cautions against warning off players, instead suggesting regular exercise throughout the year to mitigate cardiac risks.
Researchers will study the effects of aging on the heart and evaluate an endurance exercise-training program's ability to improve diastolic function and serve as a therapy for congestive heart failure. The study aims to identify the precise dose of exercise necessary to restore normal diastolic function.
A new virtual reality-based rehabilitation system was developed by Rutgers researchers, providing intensive therapy and improving range of motion, finger speed, and strength for patients with chronic stroke hand impairment. The treatment showed significant improvements after just three weeks of use.
The online learning modules, developed by Johns Hopkins Professor Wilson Rugh, have won the 2001 Premier Award for Excellence in Engineering Education Courseware. The modules cover a wide range of concepts in signals, systems and control, providing interactive exercises and quizzes to assess learning.
The US FDA has approved Tracleer (bosentan) tablets as the first oral treatment for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The medication works by blocking the effects of endothelin on blood vessels, improving exercise capacity and reducing symptoms. Regulatory reviews are ongoing in several countries.
A six-year study found that regular low-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking four times a week, reduced CRP levels and improved blood vessel function in men. The study showed a significant reduction in inflammation markers for genetically susceptible individuals.
Researchers found that snow shoveling increased tPA antigen levels and decreased PAI-1 activity in a way that didn't occur during automated snow removal or maximal treadmill exercise. Young, healthy individuals showed protective responses to moderate exercise that prevented heart attacks.
Men with stable chronic heart failure experienced improved sexual activity and quality of life after regular cycling. The study found significant improvements in endothelial function, measured through brachial artery dilation and oxygen uptake, resulting from the exercise routine.
A new study analyzing 2,109 court cases on religion found that government regulations can disproportionately affect minority religions. The study, led by Dr. Roger K. Finke, reveals that minority religions are more likely to be involved in court decisions and less likely to receive favorable rulings compared to mainline churches.
A randomized study found that a moderate exercise program improved stress-induced blood pressure levels and sleep quality in older caregivers. The program, which included four 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions per week, showed significant benefits compared to nutrition counseling.
A new study by Yale University aims to investigate the effectiveness of a tailored home-based exercise regimen on quality of life and functional capacity in heart failure patients. The research also seeks to assess the program's financial practicality and potential cost savings compared to traditional care.
Researchers found that men exhibited a decrease in coordination during exercise-induced hypoxia, whereas women showed an increase. Conversely, women had lower ventilatory responses to hypoxia compared to men.
Research reveals women exhibit a greater decrease in arterial pressure during recovery, with reduced cardiac output and lesser increases in vascular resistance. Engaging light activity supports arterial pressure, regardless of gender.
A 250-participant study found that exercise programs reduced the risk of disability in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The results suggest that physical exercise can play a crucial role in maintaining independence and reducing disabilities as people age.
A study found that only 28% of adults received counseling on physical activity, despite 68% not exercising for the recommended 30 minutes a day. Health care providers were more likely to recommend exercise to certain groups, including women, older patients, and those with chronic illnesses.
A large study found that having sex increases the risk of a heart attack by 2 hours later, especially for those with low exercise frequency. However, the absolute risk per hour is very low, and doctors should not advise patients to abstain from sex due to this risk.
Researchers found that a high pulse pressure during exercise was associated with endothelial cell dysfunction and blood-vessel stiffening, which may be an early sign of heart disease. This finding suggests that measuring blood pressure during exercise could be a more sensitive marker for detecting cardiovascular risk.
A study by UF researchers found that most sedentary adults overestimate the intensity of their moderate activities, with only a small percentage reaching high-intensity levels. The findings suggest that better guidance is needed for adults to define their level of activity and receive the greatest cardiovascular benefits.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that church-based nutrition and exercise programs significantly reduced heart disease risk factors in African-American women. The program, which included on-site exercise and dietary activities, showed a 10% reduction in 11 of 13 risk factors for heart disease after one year.
A large clinical trial found exercise improves emotional health in frail elderly adults by increasing self-efficacy and sense of mastery. However, improvements were modest in size and did not affect physical health parameters such as gait speed.
A study of 786 children aged 7-9 found girls were less active than boys, with 14% of boys and almost one in four girls exercising less than the recommended minimum. Over 40% of children failed to engage in moderate physical activity.
A recent study found that short periods of moderate exercise can improve overall mood, increase vigor, and decrease fatigue. However, further improvement was not seen with longer workout sessions.
A USC-developed nutrition and exercise program has been shown to significantly reduce weight gain in children, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and enhance physical activity. The Kids N Fitness program is effective in promoting healthy eating habits and regular exercise among obese children.
Researchers found that women who exercised on their own had better aerobic results than those in supervised groups. Exercise improved physical functioning by 5.7 points, with significant weight loss among tamoxifen users.
A study found that nutrient-dense food supplementation significantly lowered serum homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels, indicating a reduction in cardiovascular risk. However, exercise had no effect on neuropsychological functioning or nutritional health in frail elderly subjects.
Researchers found that aerobic exercise improved specific areas of cognitive function, including memory and executive functions, beyond what was expected after depression lifted. The study suggests that exercise may offset some mental declines associated with aging.
A new study found that women are more likely to exercise if they have social support from family, while men need the support of friends. The study also revealed that students who believe in their ability to participate in exercise regularly tend to be more active.
A recent study found that US military members have lower physical fitness rates compared to civilians, with 37% exercising less than three times a week. However, military members who exercise tend to do so more regularly than civilians, and required physical training is an effective method for increasing overall activity levels.
Research suggests that even small amounts of physical activity, such as short walks or gardening, can be beneficial for seniors. A leading expert advises people to choose activities they enjoy and increase intensity gradually, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
A study found that 28% of fitness clubs in Ohio failed to conduct pre-entry screenings for cardiovascular problems, while 17% reported heart attacks or sudden deaths. Gyms must implement recommended screening practices and emergency response plans to ensure member safety.
A study of nearly three million fitness club members found a small but definite increase in risk of exercise-related fatal heart attacks or strokes among sporadic exercisers. Regular exercise is recommended to lower this risk, particularly for those with cardiovascular disease.
A new study suggests that regular exercise is as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression rates. Participants who exercised regularly showed lower relapse rates, even six months after treatment ended.
A new study found that continued exercise significantly reduces the chances of depression returning, with only 8% of patients in the exercise group relapsing compared to 38% and 31% of the drug-only and exercise-plus-drug groups. Researchers suggest that exercise may be beneficial due to its active role in improving mental health.
A study of 9,454 patients found that abnormal heart rate recovery after exercise is a strong predictor of mortality. The researchers also discovered that the combination of abnormal heart rate recovery and a high-risk treadmill test score provides even stronger prognostic information.
A study surveyed over 300 women aged 70+ about fitness activities, finding they generally recognize health benefits but experience strong, anxiety-driven fears of risks. The researcher recommends specialty programs addressing specific needs, improving perceptions of exercise as a viable disease risk reduction strategy.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are studying the effects of specialized exercise on bones in young women to prevent stress fractures. The study will involve 160 women between 18-26 years old and investigate the impact of isokinetic resistance exercises on bone stiffness.
A six-month exercise program improved self-esteem in older adults through both stretching/toning and aerobic exercise. The stretching/toning group showed greater increases in overall physical self-worth and self-esteem related to body image, physical condition, and strength.
A new study finds that women with moderate iron deficiency struggle to increase aerobic endurance after exercise training, while iron supplements can compensate for this impairment. Iron-deficient women who boost their body iron through supplements can improve their exercise endurance twice as much as those without supplementation.
A national study found that women aged 40+ are less active due to lack of social support, caregiving duties, and inconvenient environments. The majority prefer exercising alone with instruction over group sessions.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that a combination of exercise and weight loss significantly reduces high blood pressure in overweight individuals. The researchers, led by James A. Blumenthal, Ph.D., randomly assigned 133 sedentary men and women to either aerobic exercise alone or a behavioral weight management...
Researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center have developed a more reliable way to measure physical fitness in elderly people. The new method, called OUES, calculates oxygen uptake efficiency slope and can be completed without requiring maximum effort, making it suitable for patients with heart disease or kidney failure.
Patients with chronic heart failure who underwent exercise training showed significant improvements in left ventricular function and blood circulation, including increased stroke volume and reduced heart enlargement. Long-term exercise training was also associated with a reduction in total peripheral resistance.
A University at Buffalo study shows that exercise training improves muscle function and protects against injury in aging animals. Regular exercise can help prevent frailty in seniors by strengthening muscles and reducing the risk of injury.
Researchers at CWRU's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing are studying the effects of a new intervention program on cardiac patients' exercise habits. The CHANGE program uses small-group counseling and behavior modification techniques to help patients maintain long-term, positive exercise habits.
Researchers found that weight resistance exercises improved strength and independence among frail elderly participants, enabling them to perform daily activities more independently. The training also led to reduced hospitalizations and deaths, with shorter average hospital stays for those who exercised.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that black women who lost weight through dieting had a significantly lower energy expenditure than white women. The researchers suggest that differences in body composition, including denser bones and more lean tissue in the limbs, may contribute to this disparity.
A study by a University of Michigan School of Nursing professor found that moderate exercise can lower diastolic blood pressure in pregnant women, reducing the risk of developing gestational hypertension. The randomized trial involved 16 high-risk women who engaged in treadmill or bicycle exercise three days a week for 10 weeks.
Research from the University of Birmingham found little evidence of exercise addiction among women, unless they have an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia. The study showed no significant psychological problems among women who exercised excessively compared to non-exercisers.
A recent NIH-funded study found that overweight breastfeeding mothers can safely lose weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise without harming their infants. The study showed an average weight loss of 5 kilograms in the intervention group, while the control group experienced variable results.
A recent study by Duke University researchers found that moderate exercise alone can improve cholesterol levels and reduce body fat in mildly obese people, regardless of weight loss. The study showed significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, including a decrease in LDL cholesterol and an increase in HDL cholesterol.
Researchers aim to develop an exercise regimen that can prevent fainting in healthy individuals. Dr. William H. Cooke's study found that a malfunction in arterial pressure sensors and inadequate neural response to blood volume decreases may cause fainting. The investigation explores the effects of different exercise training programs o...
Children with juvenile arthritis who participated in an eight-week resistance exercise program showed significant improvements in functional ability, with some experiencing a 200% increase. The program also reduced pain, disability, and medication use.
Researchers found that exercise increases the growth of new nerve cells and improves long-term memory in adult mice. Mice exercising for one month showed a significant improvement in memory skills, with better recall times and increased neural activity compared to sedentary mice.
A Duke University Medical Center study found that a brisk walk or jog three times a week may be just as effective in relieving symptoms of major depression as standard anti-depressant medications. The study showed significant improvements in all three groups, with exercise and medication showing similar results.
Cancer patients who participate in regular physical exercise programs show significant improvements in physical and mental health, including enhanced stamina, muscle strength, and pain management. The studies found that exercise has a positive effect on quality of life, including functional, psychological, and emotional well-being.
A new study found that walking rapidly for 45 minutes, three days a week, can significantly improve mental-processing abilities in adults over 60. The exercise triggered faster reaction times and heightened the ability to ignore distractions on computer tasks.
A study by University of Toronto Professor Roy Shephard found that light physical training has the strongest protective effect on immunity in sedentary young adults. The research, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, suggests that low-volume exercises are optimal for improving immunity in this population.
A recent study found that low-fat diets combined with moderate exercise resulted in not only desired weight loss but also significant loss of bone mineral density. Women who participated in the study lost an average of 7 pounds, but also experienced twice as much bone loss as those who didn't modify their diets or exercise patterns.