Pedal-assist bikes (also known as e-bikes) can provide basically the same level of workout as regular bikes. In this study, researchers pitted e-bikes against regular bikes on a six-mile test loop and found that riders were able to enter the vigorous-intensity zone for target heart rate on both types of bike, even though the average…

Yoga is generally a safe way to increase physical activity that is linked to several health benefits. According to current research, yoga may reduce stress, relieve anxiety, help manage depression, improve quality of life in those with chronic conditions or acute illnesses, stimulate brain function, and help prevent heart disease. Medical News Today, September 2019

An article recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology notes that cancer treatment can impair heart function and structure, which can cause or accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease. Because of this, the article recommends that individuals under treatment for cancer should be given a tailored exercise prescription to protect their heart based…

For seniors with moderate to severe dementia who are unable to participate in regular exercise due to cognitive impairment, problems with balance, or fear of falling, new research suggests that engaging in a chair-based yoga program can improve both mental health and quality of life. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias, October 2019

Following a two-decade study involving a group of 23,146 men and women, researchers concluded that participants who led a sedentary lifestyle were 2.7-times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and twice more likely to die from any cause than those who regularly exercised. World Congress of Cardiology, August 2019

Researchers observed that adults with metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions associated with an elevated risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes—who engaged in a walking program that focused on taking 12,000 steps a day at a pace of 103 steps per minute burned more fat and experienced greater improvements with respect to their high-density lipoprotein…

Researchers found that participants who played badminton for ten minutes scored better on executive function assessments than they did after taking a ten-minute run. The findings suggest that engaging in more complex forms of exercise may have a greater benefit on the brain than jogging and other simple exercise routines. PLoS One, September 2019

Among a group of 86 primary school students in the United Kingdom, researchers observed that the children who were physically active tended to perform better on reading, writing, and mathematics assessments than their sedentary peers. Journal of Physical Activity Research, October 2019

Among a sample of about 200 Canadian middle-school students, researchers observed that kids with more friends tended to be more physically active. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, August 2019

Children born to women who engaged in aerobic exercise during pregnancy appear to have better motor skills at one month of age than kids whose mothers did not exercise during their pregnancy. The researchers speculate that exercise may aid fetal brain development by boosting the flow of blood and oxygen to the womb. Medicine &…