Exercise, Alcohol Abuse, and Brain Damage. Heavy drinking has previously been linked to brain damage. However, preliminary studies indicate that individuals who drink heavily but engage in regular physical activity can maintain the health of their white brain matter. The study’s authors are quick to point out that this finding is not a license to…

Obesity and Post Heart Attack Mortality. A study of French heart attack survivors found that obesity (BMI =35 kg/m²) is associated with the largest risk of absolute mortality five years later (+65%). European Society of Cardiology, August 2013

Watch Your Step! When exercising, the force centered on your ankle can exceed up to seven times your body weight. 23,000 people sprain their ankle every day in the United States, resulting in 1.6 million doctor office visits annually. The direct and indirect costs (e.g., lost days from work) associated with treating ankle sprains exceed…

Sudden Cardiac Death Risk and Exercise. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for 50% of all deaths from coronary heart disease, and is defined as death with cardiac origin within 24 hours after onset of symptoms. A 19-year study looked at the impact of high leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) combined with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on the…

Teenaged Physical Fitness Reduces Suicide Risk in Adulthood. An analysis of over one million Swedish men found a link between physical fitness at age 18 and suicide risk up to 40 years later. Young men who performed poorly on an exercise bike test had an adulthood risk of suicide nearly 1.8 times that of their…

Teenaged Physical Fitness Reduces a Suicide Risk in Adulthood. An analysis of over one million Swedish men found a link between physical fitness at age 18 and suicide risk up 40 years later. Young men who performed poorly on an exercise bike test had an adulthood risk of suicide nearly 1.8 times that of their…

Is Hot Yoga Safe? The concern that heated yoga classes (those with temperatures ranging from 90-95°F) are dangerous is unfounded. However, it is important to properly hydrate before, during, and after class. It can take 10-14 days to fully acclimate to exercising in the heat. American Council on Exercise, June 2013

More Reasons. Physical fitness helps to maintain an independent lifestyle and reduces the level of abdominal obesity, a significant health-risk factor. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Moderate Exercise Does Not Worsen Fibromyalgia Pain. While fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskelatal pain, moderate exercise (such as a brisk walk or light jog) for 20 minutes per day can actually help patients over the long term by improving sleep quality, decreasing fatigue, and decreasing pain levels. Arthritis Care & Research, July…

Little Girls Not Exercising Enough. Just 38% of seven-year-old girls in the United Kingdom (UK) get the recommended amount of daily exercise, compared to 63% of boys in the same age group. UK guidelines call for children to exercise just one hour per day. BMJ Open, August 2013