A University of Delaware lab is now pioneering the use of video games – specifically Nintendo Switch’s Ring Fit – as an intervention to enhance movement and motor skills for children with autism. The research further demonstrates the positive impact of exercise-based games on cognition and social interactions.
Tag: Fitness
Staying active and reducing time sitting will boost heart health
HARRISONBURG, Va. — As American Heart Month comes to a close, remaining active is the key to improving heart health along with limiting sedentary time, a JMU researcher says. “It’s not possible for people to exercise for hours and hours…
Could fitness tests do more harm than good for Aussie kids?
Beep test or shuttle run – we all remember fitness time trials in school. But did you know that your early experiences of compulsory fitness may have influenced your current views of physical exercise (PE)?
‘Snus’ use in soccer: Loughborough University and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) launch joint research project
A new study led by Loughborough University will investigate the use of Snus in professional soccer.
Recreational Tennis Correlates to High Overall Fitness
“We sent this survey to the 10,000 recreational tennis players in the United States. And what we found was that on every single variable tennis players score higher than the general population. So this is, like I said, it’s probably…
Starting young girls out on some form of strength and resistance training would help prevent common sports injuries, says Director of Player Medical Services of the U.S. Open
Female athletes are not typically focusing, from a young age, on any weight, strength, and resistance training, whereas male athletes tend to lift weights their whole lives. And why is that? It’s just something that is just ingrained in us…
The Wrong Stringing of a Racket Can Cause Arm Pain, Says Chief Medical Officer of the U.S. Open
There’s really a whole science behind the stringing that’s done for the rackets in terms of the type of string that you use, the type of pattern, the type of tension. And so if you are getting pain anywhere in…
Short bursts of daily activity linked to reduced cancer risk – new study
Promising new research suggests a total of just 4.5 minutes of vigorous activity that makes you huff and puff during daily tasks could reduce the risk of some cancers by up to 32 percent.
Freshen outdoor fitness sites and lift community wellbeing
We all know exercise is good for us, but when times are tough, a fitness membership is often out of the question. Now, new research from the University of South Australia aims to boost community use of outdoor fitness equipment in a move to increase community activity and wellbeing.
The great weight debate: Researchers find all forms of weightlifting build strength and muscle, details matter less
Whether you use heavy or light weights, lifting them as many times as you can builds strength and muscle. The details of how you go about it are less important than simply making a habit of it, researchers have determined.
ACSM and Elevance Health to announce the 2023 American Fitness Index rankings July 18th
ACSM and the Elevance Health Foundation will release the 2023 Fitness Index rankings at 7 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Plants Pollinated by Honey Bees Produce Lower-quality Offspring
In a first of its kind comparison, UC San Diego scientists have shown that pollination by honey bees, which are not native to the Americas, produces offspring of considerably inferior quality (lower fitness) than offspring resulting from native pollinators.
Wearable activity trackers accelerate hospital patient recovery
Fitbits, Garmins or Apple Watches, whatever your preference, wearable activity trackers could help patients recover faster during a hospitalisation, potentially easing some pressures on Australia’s overburdened hospital system, according to new research from the University of South Australia.
Fitness App Loophole Allows Access to Home Addresses
Despite attempts to anonymize user data, the fitness app Strava allows anyone to find personal information – including home addresses – about some users. The finding, which is detailed in a new study, raises significant privacy concerns.
Top 100 fitspiration influencers: more talk than walk when it comes to body image
They’re the tanned, toned bodies sporting the latest fitness fashion, but when it comes to body image these ‘fitspiration’ influencers are more talk than walk, according to world-first research from the University of South Australia.
Exercise more effective than medicines to manage mental health
University of South Australia researchers are calling for exercise to be a mainstay approach for managing depression as a new study shows that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or the leading medications.
ACSM Announces Top Worldwide Fitness Trends
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) released survey results today in the article “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2023,” published in the January/February issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®.
ACSM to Reveal Top Fitness Trends for 2023
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) will release the results of its annual fitness trend forecast on Dec. 28 in ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®. Now in its 17th year, ACSM’s annual survey helps the health and fitness industry make critical programming and business decisions.
National plan needed to improve children’s D- grade for physical activity
Researchers are calling for a National Physical Activity Plan to encourage greater levels of physical activity among Australian children following dismal results in the 2022 Active Healthy Kids Australia (AHKA) Report Card.
Low-income charter school graduates had lower rates of problematic substance use as young adults, UCLA research suggests
An 8-year study of nearly 1300 low-income adolescents in Los Angeles found that students who attended high performing charter high schools were much less likely to engage in risky substance use by the time they reached age 21. Males who attended the high-performing schools also had better physical health and lower obesity rates as young adults while females had substantially worse outcomes in those two areas.
Women’s mental well-being more sensitive to exercise than men’s during different stages of pandemic
Women’s mental health was more likely to be affected by physical exercise frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic than men’s, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
Chief medical officer of US Open available re: Serena’s retirement, player longevity & how elite players can ensure physical/emotional/mental fitness
With Serena Williams’ upcoming retirement from tennis following the US Open, the Chief Medical Officer of the US Open, Dr. Alexis Colvin – who is also an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Mount Sinai Health System – is available for…
Physical Activity May Still Not Match Pre-Covid 19 Pandemic Levels
Step counts—a measure of physical activity—were markedly lower early in the COVID-19 pandemic than pre-pandemic and remained lower, on average, in the two years following the onset of the global pandemic.
The Medical Minute: Pickleball anyone? Sport’s popularity surges, health benefits abound
Pickleball is surging in popularity. Does the sport also offer health benefits? A Penn State Health exercise physiologist and a couple passionate pickleballers pop the top on a jar’s worth of thoughts.
Researchers discover gene that promotes muscle strength during exercise
Researchers have identified a gene that promotes muscle strength when switched on by physical activity, unlocking the potential for the development of therapeutic treatments to mimic some of the benefits of working out.
Wearing your fitness on your sleeve is great for the heart
New findings from Australian researchers have endorsed what millions of people around the world believe: fitness trackers, pedometers and smart watches motivate us to exercise more and lose weight.
On the Run: How to Train Safely for a 5K
A 5K can serve as a perfect early milestone for novice runners, but safe training is key to success. With the help of an expert running and biomotion specialist, we’ve explored the topic of how to train safely for the best beginner’s race.
Evolve… Innovate… Repeat: Scientists Peel Back the Layers of Virus-Host Evolution and Innovation
Scientists have uncovered an intriguing new understanding of how viruses and the hosts they infect evolve new innovations to outcompete each other. Culminating a 10-year research effort, the researchers tracked the way fitness landscapes constantly change in the ongoing struggle for survival.
ACSM / Anthem Foundation American Fitness Index to Reveal 2022 Fittest City
The science-based Fitness Index annually evaluates and ranks America’s 100 largest cities using health behaviors, chronic diseases and community infrastructure indicators that support a physically active lifestyle.
Hype up fitness to support kids’ health post-lockdowns
As COVID-19 reaches record levels in the UK, health experts are calling for a focus on children’s physical fitness as new research reveals concerning changes to children’s health and physical fitness following the pandemic.
Exercise Could Help Reduce Severity of Serious Cancer Complication
A new study has identified yet another benefit of keeping up your exercise routine. In experiments performed with mice, researchers found that exercising prior to developing cancer was associated with slower tumor growth and helped reduce the effects of a cancer complication known as wasting syndrome, or cachexia.
Weight gain isn’t inevitable when you start college
Research suggests that implementing healthy patterns early can help stave off the freshman 15 weight gain.
Muscle Protein That Makes Vertebrates More Fit Linked to Limited Lifespan
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have added to evidence that a protein called CaMKII improves strength, endurance, muscle health and fitness in young animals. Their experiments working with mice and fruit flies, however, found that the gene for CaMKII also contributes to an evolutionary tradeoff: increased susceptibility to age-associated diseases, frailty and mortality.
Exercise Improves Health Through Changes on DNA
While it is widely known that regular physical exercise decreases the risk of virtually all chronic illnesses, the mechanisms at play are not fully known.
Bootcamp or booting goals? Which is better for men’s health?
A new sports program is kicking goals for men’s health as researchers from the University of South Australia set their sights on improving physical and mental wellbeing of Australian men.
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss How Exercise Behaviors Changed During COVID-19 Pandemic
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 14, 2021) – Rutgers expert Brandon L. Alderman, who focuses on the science of exercise and its impact on mental health and cognitive function, is available for interviews on how exercise behaviors have changed during the…
ACSM and Technogym Partner to Promote Physical Activity, Improve Quality of Life
ACSM and Technogym renew long-standing partnership to promote the importance of physical activity and combat chronic disease and illness. The agreement focuses on expanding impact of global Exercise is Medicine initiative.
Black Females More Likely Than Black Males to Exercise, Eat Healthy When Faced with Perceived Discrimination
Black men and women, as well as adolescent boys and girls, may react differently to perceived racial discrimination, with Black women and girls engaging in more exercise and better eating habits than Black men and boys when faced with discrimination, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
Exercise caution after working out in virtual reality
Virtual ‘exergaming’ has become a popular way to exercise – especially among younger people – since the release of virtual reality (VR) fitness games on consoles such as Nintendo and Playstation.
But while VR is undoubtedly raising fitness games to a whole new level, researchers at the University of South Australia are cautioning players about the potential side effects of VR, particularly in the first hour after playing.
Lockdown affords Aussie tennis players a unique advantage
Australian-based tennis players may have a once-in-a-lifetime court advantage at the 2021 Australian Open as many of their international counterparts endure lockdown restrictions in Melbourne hotels.
Back to basics: Researchers find simple exercises are a practical, time-efficient way to boost fitness
Kinesiologists at McMaster University who examined the effectiveness of old-school physical training have found that simple bodyweight exercises, when performed vigorously over short periods, improve cardiorespiratory fitness.
American College of Sports Medicine to Reveal Top Fitness Trends for 2021
MEDIA ADVISORY WHAT: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every person and every industry this year. It forced fitness facilities to close and disrupted interactions with clients, causing significant economic impact for the health and fitness industry. It also accelerated health and…
What Types of Physical Function Predict Program Adherence in Older Adults?
Patient adherence to an exercise program is a long-standing issue. What do you know about adherence? How can we, as nurses, influence adherence in older adults? Are there indicators that might predict adherence? Liu and Miyawaki describe the nationwide EnhanceFitness…
HIIT programs show benefits for those with Down syndrome
Incorporating high-intensity interval training into exercise programs for individuals with Down syndrome may help achieve critical health outcomes in a more time-efficient manner, according to an article written by researchers at the University of Georgia and Kennesaw State University.
Exercise can slow or prevent vision loss, study finds
Exercise can slow or prevent the development of macular degeneration and may benefit other common causes of vision loss, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, new research suggests.
Time-saving high-intensity workouts can benefit people with spinal cord injuries, researchers find
Research from the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University has found that the practical advantages of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or short bursts of all-out exercise, could be especially beneficial for people who have experienced spinal cord injuries (SCI).
#FitForTheFrontLine Challenge Unites Nation’s Top Medical Centers in Support of Front-Line Health Care Workers
Fitness challenge honors and supports health care heroes at Mount Sinai Health System and Academic Centers Across the Country. Goldman Sachs & Co., Peloton, Discovery, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, dtx and Pinterest Support First-Ever Collective Medical Center Campaign.
Increased focus on fitness during COVID-19 pandemic due to need for emotional security
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has closed most gyms throughout the country, this isn’t stopping people from working out. Many people have used their spare time during quarantine to get fit, but this may be due to their desire for emotional…
COVID-19: Is outdoor running still safe?
Even in these uneasy times that call for more time spent indoors amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it’s important to exercise regularly.
Stay Strong: Keeping Your Mind and Body Healthy
Efforts to contain the current pandemic have caused many of us to drastically, though temporarily, change our lifestyles. Learn how you can build in new routines to keep your mind and body active during this time.