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…

Daytime Physical Activity is Key to Unlocking Better Sleep

Summary: A new study reveals a strong link between daytime physical activity and improved sleep quality among both children and adults. Analyzing the daily routines of over 2500 participants, the…

Your heart changes in size and shape with exercise – this can lead to heart problems for some athletes and gym rats

Exercise has long been recognized by clinicians, scientists and public health officials as an important way to maintain health throughout a person’s lifespan. It improves overall fitness, helps build strong…

Dance Your Way to Better Mental Health

Summary: Structured dance programs are as beneficial, and sometimes superior, to traditional physical activities for enhancing psychological and cognitive health. This systematic review and meta-analysis, involving a broad age range…