http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/fitness/ Physical fitness and exercise. Check out the latest articles and webcasts on physical fitness, weight lifting programs, and new methods for improving exercise performance. en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/fitness/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094452.htm One-third of Wii sport and Wii fit activities provide energy expenditures equal to moderate-intensity exercise. Active video games may help prevent or improve obesity and lifestyle-related diseases, researchers said. The study was funded by Nintendo. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116094452.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117161008.htm Eight percent of obese people misperceived their body size, believing they did not need to lose weight or that they could afford to gain weight. While those who misperceived their need for weight loss thought they were healthier than others their age, they had the same risk factors for heart disease as other obese patients. Those who misperceived their body size were less likely to exercise and see a physician than their counterparts who accurately perceived their body size. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117161008.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118072056.htm Strength training exercises using dumbbells can reduce pain and improve function in the trapezius muscle among women suffering trapezius myalgia, a tenderness and tightness in the upper trapezius muscle. The results are the latest findings from an ongoing Danish study aimed at reducing repetitive strain injury caused by office work. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118072056.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117124003.htm Daily physical exercise at school positively improves students' body composition and exercise capacity. This is especially true of students with a low socioeconomic status. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117124003.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163216.htm Healthy, older adults free of heart disease need not fear that bouts of rapid, irregular heartbeats brought on by vigorous exercise might increase short- or long-term risk of dying or having a heart attack, according to a report by heart experts. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163216.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111122026.htm A new scientific study demonstrates that by reducing the volume of training by 25% and introducing speed endurance training, endurance trained runners can improve not only short-term but also long-term performance. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111122026.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112131844.htm Contrary to more conservative customs, exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of the fetus, according to a new study. This study also shows a positive relationship between the weight of sedentary mothers before pregnancy and the size of their babies. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112131844.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162005.htm A healthy dose of exercise is good medicine, even for lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy, University of Alberta researchers have found. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162005.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105132456.htm School-based physical education plays a key role in curbing obesity and improving fitness among adolescents from low-income communities, according to a new study. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105132456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111120257.htm Are you a female athlete – or just someone who likes challenging workouts -- who also wants to get pregnant? It may make sense to ease off a bit as you try to get pregnant. New research shows that the body may not have enough energy to support both hard workouts and getting pregnant. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111120257.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103144810.htm A new study has found that statins have beneficial effects on patients with systolic heart failure, but those with diastolic heart failure experienced the opposite effect, including increased dyspnea, fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103144810.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104111729.htm The term energy gap was coined to estimate the change in energy balance (intake and expenditure) behaviors required to achieve and sustain reduced body weight outcomes in individuals and populations. In a new commentary, researchers more precisely clarify the concept of the energy gap (or energy gaps) and discuss how the concept can be properly used as a tool to help understand and address obesity. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104111729.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026103840.htm New research comparing the signs of metabolic syndrome in professional baseball and football players reveals that the larger professional athletes -- football linemen in particular -- may encounter future health problems despite their rigorous exercise routines. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026103840.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026161846.htm Men and women become gradually less fit with age, with declines accelerating after age 45, according to a new report. However, maintaining a healthy body-mass index, not smoking and being physically active are associated with higher fitness levels throughout adult life. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026161846.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029102740.htm A study conducted by exercise physiologists finds that as little as 80 minutes a week of aerobic or resistance training helps not only to prevent weight gain, but also to inhibit a regain of harmful visceral fat one year after weight loss. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029102740.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028192605.htm Intensive lifestyle changes aimed at modest weight loss reduced the rate of developing type 2 diabetes by 34 percent compared with placebo in people at high risk for the disease, researchers conclude based on 10 years of data. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028192605.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027085300.htm Even one cigarette has serious adverse effects on young adults, according to new research. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027085300.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026093723.htm Exercise can help smokers quit because it makes cigarettes less attractive. A new study shows for the first time that exercise can lessen the power of cigarettes and smoking-related images to grab the attention of smokers. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026093723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025091138.htm Just three months of physical activity reaps heart health benefits for older adults with type 2 diabetes by improving the elasticity in their arteries -- reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, researchers say. Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025091138.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013201745.htm Supervised exercise programs that include high and low intense cardiovascular and resistance training can help reduce fatigue in patients with cancer who are undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy or treatment for advanced disease. The exercise training also improves patients' vitality, muscular strength, aerobic capacity and emotional well-being, according to new research. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013201745.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020192209.htm For patients with severe knee pain, supervised exercise therapy is more effective at reducing pain and improving function than usual care, a study finds. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020192209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091018141559.htm Exercise is a key factor in improving both memory and mood after whole-brain radiation treatments in rodents, according to new research. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091018141559.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015084547.htm A study finds that while a strict diet and exercise program may benefit obese patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, it is unlikely to eliminate the condition. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015084547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102039.htm According a new study of over 3,000 adults aged 70-79, the apparent association between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of functional decline over time did not hold up after adjustments were made for characteristics related to lifestyle, in particular physical activity, body weight, education and income. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102039.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008171959.htm Getting off the couch could lead to a longer life for kidney disease patients, according to a new study. The findings indicate that, as in the general population, exercise has significant health benefits for individuals with kidney dysfunction. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008171959.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012095535.htm Half of all Swedish elite volleyball players suffer at least one injury per season. One important reason may be that most players perform injury-preventing strength training unsupervised. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012095535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008123235.htm Attention weekend warriors: the simple act of exercise and not fitness itself can convince you that you look better, a new study finds. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008123235.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093345.htm How far you can reach beyond your toes from a sitting position -- normally used to define the flexibility of the body -- may be an indicator of how stiff your arteries are. Because arterial stiffness often precedes cardiovascular disease, the results suggest that this could become a quick measure of a person's risk for heart attack or stroke. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002093807.htm New research shows that women benefit more from playing recreational soccer than from running when it comes to overall fitness. And that's not all: women playing soccer experience a higher degree of motivation when it comes to sticking to their sport, and they increase their ability to bridge and create new acquaintances. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002093807.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006191347.htm Exercise programs designed to improve strength and stamina are safe and effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new review. The researchers reviewed dynamic exercise program trials in RA patients and found moderate benefits associated with this type of treatment. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006191347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093343.htm Fat and muscle mass, as potentially determined by a person's ethnic background, may contribute to diabetes risk, according to a new study. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093343.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930194256.htm Post-menopausal women who engage in moderate to vigorous exercise have a reduced risk of breast cancer. This comes from researchers who investigated the link between breast cancer and exercise. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930194256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927150348.htm A study of rowers has shown that members of a team who exercised together were able to tolerate twice as much pain as when they trained on their own. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927150348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924231751.htm Being too optimistic could harm weight loss efforts. Research reveals the psychological characteristics that may contribute to weight loss. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924231751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922162305.htm Childbearing is associated directly with future development of the metabolic syndrome -- abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, insulin resistance and other cardiovascular disease risk factors -- and for women who have had gestational diabetes, the risk is more than twice greater, according to a new study. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922162305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922132850.htm Physical therapist-directed exercise counseling combined with fitness center-based exercise training can improve muscular strength and exercise capacity in people with type 2 diabetes, with outcomes similar to those of supervised exercise, according to a randomized clinical trial. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922132850.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153123.htm After menopause, decreased estrogen and changes in body composition affect women's metabolism. But does this affect women's response to exercise? A new study shows that postmenopausal women benefit as much as younger women do from endurance training, improving both cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. On average, women raised their maximum lung volume to that of women 16 years younger. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153123.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917191559.htm Losing weight may preserve kidney function in obese people with kidney disease, according to a new study. The findings indicate that taking off the pounds could be an important step kidney disease patients can take to protect their health. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917191559.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914172524.htm Older adults who continue or begin to do any amount of exercise appear to live longer and have a lower risk of disability, according to a new report. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914172524.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090911103807.htm Have you ever noticed that people have thinner arms and legs as they get older? As we age it becomes harder to keep our muscles healthy. They get smaller, which decreases strength and increases the likelihood of falls and fractures. New research is showing how this happens -- and what to do about it. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090911103807.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082406.htm A moderate aerobic exercise program, without weight loss, can improve insulin sensitivity in both lean and obese sedentary adolescents, according to a new study. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that permits glucose to enter cells to be used for energy or stored for future use by the body. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082406.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908125132.htm People and their dogs both need physical activity to fight obesity, and there are many exercises that owner and pet can do together that can improve their health and their relationship. Dogs, like people, reap many benefits from exercise, according to one veterinarian, who adds there are physical and mental health advantages for the dog owner and the dog when they exercise together. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908125132.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909095104.htm Researchers in Australia determined that patients with a sedentary lifestyle who engage in routine physical activities lower their risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The lower risk of problems associated with fatty liver was not contingent upon weight loss, but a direct result from the increased aerobic exercise. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909095104.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908105323.htm Drinkers aren't just bending their elbows: according to a new study, the more alcohol people drink, the more likely they might be to exercise. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908105323.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903110800.htm Eat less, exercise more. Now there is new evidence to support adding another "must" to the weight-loss mantra: eat at the right time of day. A study has found that eating at irregular times -- the equivalent of the middle of the night for humans, when the body wants to sleep -- influences weight gain. This is the first causal evidence linking meal timing and increased weight gain. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903110800.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901111540.htm Zoning restrictions on fast-food restaurants near schools and playgrounds, community policing to improve safety around public recreational sites, requirements that publicly run after-school programs limit video game and TV time, and taxes on high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and drinks are some of the strategies local government officials can use to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic in their communities, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901111540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143548.htm Rats fed a high-fat diet show a stark reduction in their physical endurance and a decline in their cognitive ability after just nine days, new research shows. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143548.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901132810.htm A recent study has reinforced the correlation between being overweight, smoking and breast cancer. What makes this study unique is how test subjects were not diagnosed for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which predispose women to breast cancer. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901132810.htm