For desk-bound office workers, taking a microbreak every hour to perform a brief physical activity can reduce job stress and improve mood. Frontiers in Public Health, June 2020

The results of a recent study that looked at lifestyle, medical, socio-demographic, and sleep health data concerning more than 155,000 adults suggest that even a modest increase in physical activity (such as walking for 20 additional minutes per day or vigorously exercising for 8 additional minutes a day) can reduce the risk for obstructive sleep…

Harvard Medical School lists the following benefits of exercise: reduced risk for obesity, heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers; improved balance, mood, and mental function; stronger muscles; and healthier bones and joints. Harvard Medical School, June 2020

The reticulospinal tract descends from the spinal cord from the brain and is mainly involved in locomotion and postural control. In a recent study, researchers observed that strength training can increase the response of the reticulospinal tract, which may be one way lifting weights improves athletic performance. Journal of Neuroscience, June 2020

According to a new study, an intense ten-minute bout of exercise increases the activity of the “death marker protein” called ubiquitin, which helps remove worn-out proteins from muscle tissue. Researcher Dr. Jørgen Wojtaszewski writes, “Basically, it explains part of the reason why physical activity is healthy. The beauty is that muscle use, in and of…

An analysis of data from eleven published studies concluded that aerobic exercise training can lead to improvements in both asthma control and lung function. European Respiratory Journal, April 2020

University students who regularly exercise are less likely to be affected by depression, anxiety, or stress than their less active peers. Frontiers in Psychology, May 2020

According to a new study, engaging in a twelveweek aerobic exercise program can increase cortical excitability, which can improve one’s ability to create mental imagery. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, June 2020

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions—obesity, high blood pressure, problematic cholesterol, impaired metabolic function, and excessive waist circumference—that occur together and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A review of data from a twenty-year study revealed that even light exercise is effective for reducing some of the risk associated…

Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) is a common heart rhythm disorder that is known to significantly increase the risk of stroke. A study involving 3,333 Afib patients revealed that participants who averaged fewer steps per day tended to experience more severe Afib-associated symptoms than those with a more active lifestyle. Hearth Rhythm, May 2020