Cardiorespiratory Fitness Reduces the Risk of Fatty Liver. When too much fat is present in the liver, it can hinder the organ’s ability to heal itself and filter toxins from the body. A new study finds that cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely related to the risk of fat build up in the liver. Researchers measured the…

Carbs Help with Recovery After Intense Workout. Current evidence strongly suggests that moderate to intense physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various forms of cancer, and it may even improve longevity overall. However, prolonged, intense physical exercise can have negative effects on the immune system. A new study finds…

Why Doesn’t Exercise Work as Well for Some People? Physical activity is key in the prevention of obesity and associated health conditions, but some people obtain greater rewards from exercise than others. In a new study that involved 31 women, researchers found that those who had high levels of the protein selenoprotein P in their…

Can Too Much Exercise Be a Bad Thing? While several studies have demonstrated that lack of physical activity can increase the risk of mental health problems, those who exercise in excess may also experience mental health symptoms such as irritability, depression, apathy, difficulty concentrating, and loss of self-esteem. American Council on Exercise, April 2017

More Steps Equals Fewer Hospital Stays. According to a recent report, older individuals can reduce the amount of time they will eventually spend in hospitals by walking an extra 4,300 steps per day. In the study, a team of Australian researchers analyzed data on 2,110 participants aged 55 and older and found that those who…

Fitness a Key to Post-Stroke Recovery. Individuals who are active and exercise on a regular basis before a stroke are less likely to face disability afterward. Researchers found that among those in the study who suffered a stroke, those who had exercised regularly before their stroke were 18% more likely to perform basic tasks—such as…

Regular Yoga May Ease Depression Symptoms. Researchers randomly assigned 30 people with major depressive disorder to partake in either a “high-dose” or “low-dose” yoga program. The high-dose group participated in three 90-minute yoga classes each week along with home practice, while the low-dose group engaged in two 90-minute yoga sessions each week in addition to…

Physical Exercise Benefits Cancer Patients During Chemo. Jogging or simply walking can help patients with gastrointestinal cancer better cope with the side effects of chemotherapy. In the study, cancer patients exercised either 50 minutes a day three times a week or for 30 minutes a day five times a week at a pace which they…

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of cardiovascular exercise that involves alternating short periods of intense exercise with less intense recovery periods. In a new study, researchers took muscle biopsies from participants who performed different types of exercise and compared them with samples taken from sedentary individuals. They found that exercise, in particular HIIT,…

Brief Intense Stair Climbing Boosts Fitness. Not having enough time to exercise is no longer an excuse to not get fit. This study included 31 sedentary healthy women who performed brief ten-minute stair climbing routines three times per week for six weeks. The routines involved quick bursts of vigorous stair climbing separated by short periods…