Can Exercise Shield Against a Week of Overindulgence? A new study suggests that exercise protects fat tissue from changes in inflammation levels and fat metabolism caused by a week of overeating. In the study, researchers found an increase in markers of inflammation after one week of overeating among people who do not normally exercise. However,…

Exercise May Help Maintain Hearing. In a new animal-based study, researchers found that aging sedentary mice lost structures important to the auditory system—hair cells and strial capillaries—at a much higher rate than their exercising counterparts. Study co-author Christiaan Leeuwenburgh writes, “Exercise likely releases some growth factors yet to be discovered that maintain capillary density as…

Exercising While Pregnant Beneficial for Offspring. Exercise during pregnancy appears to protect offspring from age-related health risks. Researchers examined markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity in mice that were born to mothers that either exercised or didn’t exercise during pregnancy. They found that the offspring of mothers that exercised had better stress resistance…

Exercise Can Help Those with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, type 1 diabetics need to take insulin by injection or via a small tube inserted under the skin and attached to an…

Can Minimalist Shoes Be Good for Your Feet? Running in a minimalist shoe may be good for increasing foot strength. Researchers compared the effects of wearing traditional running shoes to a minimalist shoe with five separate toes and minimal to no cushioning or support. After a six-month running program, those wearing the minimalist shoes experienced…

Don’t Forget to Stretch Before and After Exercise. Do you take the time to stretch? Do you know how to properly stretch before and after a workout? The American Council on Exercise offers these stretching recommendations: breathe in deeply, then slowly exhale as you stretch the desired muscle to tension; hold the stretch for up…

Exercising at Work. Taking advantage of a workplace gym is a great way to get active. The American Council on Exercise suggests the following to get the most out of a workplace gym: schedule exercise on your daily calendar; pack daily workout clothes and get to work early, if necessary; bring toiletries if the gym…

A Sit-Stand Desk at Work May Help Maintain Weight Levels. Investigators at the University of Pittsburgh examined the potential weight management benefits of sit-stand desks. The study included 18 participants and revealed that an individual can burn an extra 48.3-56.9 calories by alternating between sitting and standing during their workday. Lead researcher Bethany Barone Gibbs…

Activity Tracker Can Determine Exercise Needed to Prevent Early Death. A new activity tracker can now determine the amount of exercise needed to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) is the first activity tracking scoring system that uses heart rate to help individuals achieve optimal health. PAI works by…

Active Teens More Likely to Get Sleep. Using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011-2013, researchers report that adolescents who are more physically active and who spend less time in sedentary activities are more likely to sleep more than eight hours per night. Preventing Chronic Disease, September 2016