Metabolic syndrome is the clustering of at least three of the following five risk factors: elevated fasting glucose, excess waist circumference, elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and abnormal cholesterol levels. This syndrome is known to increase an individual’s risk for both cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Korean researchers have found that men and women…

University of British Columbia researchers report that patients with vascular dementia can improve their memory by simply going for walks on a regular basis. In the study, patients with vascular dementia who walked three times a week at a moderately brisk pace performed better on memory and attention tests than those who did not exercise.…

Could a New Molecule Mimic Exercise? Scientists have developed a molecule called “compound 14” that may one day help type 2 diabetics and obese patients reduce blood glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance. In a study on mice, researchers observed that compound 14 mimics the effect of exercise by causing cells to “think” they have…

Many Free Fitness Apps Don’t Meet Recommended Guidelines. If you are looking for a smartphone app to help improve your exercise regimen, it may be harder than you think. Researchers found that only one of thirty popular free fitness apps meets the majority of physical activity guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine. The…

Even a Little Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Benefits Those Over 60. An analysis of published research suggests that just a little moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every week can curb the risk of early death among those over the age of 60. Though current recommendations call for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, the data suggests that…

Physical Exercise May Reduce Binge Eating. While it makes sense that dietary interventions should reduce binge eating behavior, a new study published in the journal Appetite points to physical exercise as a better strategy. Researchers tracked 180 women for six months and found that those who participated in a physical activity intervention experienced greater reductions…

Extracurricular Sports Improves Kids’ Academics. Participating in extracurricular sports may help children develop the discipline they need to excel in school. Researchers note that both a child’s attention span and level of self-control can be positively associated with their participation in organized, after-school sports. Study leader Dr. Linda Pagani adds, “There is something specific to…

You Probably Still Need to Exercise, Even if You Have a Busy Job. According to a new study, having a busy job may not provide enough exercise to meet the current physical activity recommendations to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). The small study followed 83 employees working in six occupation groups during a typical work week.…

Drink Water Responsibly When Exercising to Avoid Health Risks. Experts say that keeping hydrated during exercise is important, but drinking too much water can be hazardous and in some case, can even result in death. Newly published guidelines recommend that drinking when thirsty is the healthiest way for athletes to keep hydrated, reducing the risk…

Leg Strengthening. Are you looking for a new way to work your legs? Try the Flamingo Balance. To perform this exercise, hold a dumbbell in your right hand while standing with the left hand on your hip. Lean forward while lifting your left leg/foot behind you up to the level of your hip. Now, bring…