Health and activity tracker data collected from over 17,000 older women revealed that increasing the number of steps taken per day from 2,700 steps to 4,400 steps may reduce the risk of death in the next four years by up to 41%. JAMA Internal Medicine, May 2019

Exercise apps and fitness trackers have become very popular, but do they really help users become more active? In a study involving 210 inactive women, researchers observed that those who used the combination of an exercise app, an activity tracker, and personal counseling increased the number of steps they took per day, as well as…

In a recent study, researchers overserved that engaging in a single session of moderate-intensity exercise resulted in greater activity in several areas of the brain associated with memory formation and retention. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, April 2019

Following their analysis of data from 76 published studies, researchers report that women who exercise during pregnancy have a reduced risk for excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, and symptoms of postpartum depression. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, June 2019

Previous studies have suggested that weightlifting can harm endurance training performance when both are performed on the same day; however, new research suggests it can be done safely if one engages in endurance training first and allows at least half a day for recovery before lifting weights. Sports Medicine, April 2019

Past research has associated a healthy gut bacteria population with greater immune function, better nervous system function, and a reduced risk for several chronic diseases and cancers. In this study, researchers observed that normally sedentary seniors who participated in a brisk walking program for twelve weeks experienced an improvement in their intestinal microbiota. Nutrients, April…

The current research suggests that engaging in a session of acute exercise before learning new information improves memory encoding. Brain Science, April 2019

If it’s difficult to find time for a workout, try this 7-minute workout created by the American College of Sports Medicine that combines cardio and resistance exercises into a single circuit training session involving jumping jacks, wall sits, push-ups, abdominal crunches, step-ups, squats, tricep dips, planks, running in place, lunges, push-ups, and side planks. Perform…

An analysis of data concerning over 13,000 middleaged Norwegian women whom researchers monitored over a 13-year time period revealed that the most fit women in the study had a 12-25% lower risk for an acute myocardial infarction than the least fit participants. Journal of the American Heart Association, May 2019

Resistance training is a form of exercise that improves muscular strength and endurance by using body weight, gravity, bands, or weights. A new study found that resistance training as little as just once a week can offer seniors a number of health benefits including improvements in blood values, muscle strength, and mental well-being. Frontiers in…