Seeing Nature Helps Lower Blood Pressure! Investigators have found that seeing nature-related imagery while riding a stationary bike can result in lower blood pressure post-exercise than working out without such stimuli. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, April 2014

Exercise Curtails COPD Hospitalization. New research suggests that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who exercise at a moderate to vigorous level have a lower risk of hospital readmission within 30 days compared with those who are inactive. Researchers found that patients with COPD who exercised 150 minutes a week or more had a…

Over-Training Counterproductive. Over-training occurs when you do not allow your body to adjust, adapt, and recuperate from the training regimen you take part in and can be detrimental to realizing your fitness goals. Signs of over-training include decreased performance, increased resting heart rate and blood pressure, increased muscle fatigue, gastro-intestinal problems, depression, irritability, apathy, and…

Does Specializing in One Sport Ensure Future Success? Contrary to what some parents and coaches believe, researchers have found no evidence that athletes were more successful at earning a college scholarship or in starting a professional career if they only played one sport starting at a very young age. It appears that most of today’s…

Just Do It. Regular physical activity/exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. It can help control your weight, lower your risk for heart disease, lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, lower your risk for some cancers, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your…

Exercising During Pregnancy Reduces Weight Gain & Associated Illnesses. Research involving 963 pregnant women shows that moderately intense supervised exercise starting at the prenatal consultation helps women avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy while also reducing associated illnesses such as gestational diabetes and hypertension. The researchers state, “We wish to emphasize the importance of maintaining…

Exercise Improves Brain Power. Recent research shows that aerobic exercise improves activity in certain areas of the brain as well as the connectivity of those structures. Researchers found that the more fit a person is, the stronger the connectivity in the brain and the better they are at multitasking, planning, prioritizing, and strategizing. American Association…

Yoga Good for Breast Cancer Patients. Breast cancer patients undergoing radiation may benefit from yoga. Investigators found a sharp decline in cortisol levels among breast cancer patients who practiced yoga. Cortisol is a stress hormone and increased cortisol levels are associated with worse breast cancer outcomes. The study suggests that practicing yoga helps to regulate…

Sitting and Disability. For the first time, a study has labeled sedentary activity as a risk factor for disability for people over age 60. Using data on over 2,000 adults over 60 years of age, researchers were shocked to discover that being sedentary is just as large a risk factor for disability as not exercising,…

Walking Decreases COPD Hospitalization Risks. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that describes difficulty breathing due to long-term lung damage. New research shows that COPD sufferers can greatly reduce their risk of hospitalization with severe attacks by simply walking 3-6 kilometers (~1.8-3.6 miles) per day. Respirology, February 2014