Everyday physical activity, like going for a short walk or playing with the kids, may provide short-term benefits for cognitive health, equivalent to reversing four years of cognitive aging. That…
Tag: exercise
Strength training early in life can set up kids and adolescents for a lifetime of health and well-being
“Aren’t they a little young for that?” This is a question I used to hear regularly from parents when I’d recommend strength training for the kids I worked with, whose…
Personality Traits Linked to Physical Activity and Sedentary Patterns
Summary: A new study reveals that personality traits influence both physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns. People with resilient personalities, marked by high conscientiousness and extraversion, tend to engage in…
Video Games Boost Cognition, Exercise Improves Mental Health
Summary: A large-scale study has found that playing video games boosts cognitive abilities, but has no impact on mental health, while exercise improves mental well-being without affecting cognition. Over 1,000…
Virtual Reality Boosts Exercise Engagement by Sensing Emotions
Summary: Adaptive VR exergames, which adjust difficulty based on a user’s emotional state, can improve exercise adherence and enjoyment. By using sensors to monitor physiological changes like heart rate and…
People with physical and mobility disabilities need to work out, but there are a lot of obstacles in their way
Although wheelchair users, visually impaired people and others with mobility and physical disabilities need consistent exercise, it’s often hard for them to work out. In many cases, they can’t get…
Muscle Proteins Trigger Desire for Exercise
Summary: A new study reveals that certain muscle proteins activated during exercise can increase the desire to stay active, shedding light on a muscle-brain signaling pathway. The research suggests that…
Treat or Train? Orexin Helps Brain Decide
Summary: Researchers have identified orexin, a brain chemical, as crucial in deciding between exercising and indulging in treats. In experiments with mice, those with an intact orexin system were more…
Exercise Boosts Motivation to Combat Depression
Summary: A new study suggests that exercise reduces depression by boosting motivation through decreased inflammation and enhanced dopamine function. This understanding could lead to personalized exercise programs as treatment. The…
Athletes looking for a competitive edge may find it within their gut microbiome
When milliseconds can mean the difference between silver and gold, endurance athletes in sports like marathon running, cycling, rowing and swimming optimize every aspect of their physiology for a competitive…
