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New research has revealed that regular, moderate-intensity exercise helps maintain crucial vitamin D levels during the darker months—even without weight loss or supplements. Researchers found that people with overweight and obesity who completed a 10‑week indoor exercise program over winter experienced significantly smaller drops in vitamin D levels compared to those who didn't exercise—even though their body weight was deliberately maintained. The program involved four sessions per week: two treadmill walks, one longer steady‑state bike ride, and one high‑intensity interval bike session. Notably, exercise completely preserved the body's active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D₃), which plays a key role in...

Researchers have discovered a mechanism in our cells that is essential to energy production in the muscles. "We have identified a new, important mechanism for energy production of the muscle cells and shown that it is activated by physical exercise—regardless of age, gender and state of health," says Associate Professor Lykke Sylow. The researchers demonstrate that a specific protein plays a key role in the energy production taking place in the cells' energy factory, the mitochondria. And they were surprised to find that through fitness training (so-called aerobic exercise), it is in fact possible to circumvent the role of this...

Decades of exercise research data support the common view that steady workouts over the long haul produce not only physical benefits but also improved brain function. But what about single bursts of exercise? A team has taken a closer look. Focusing on subjects between 18–45 years old, first author Jordan Garrett and the team screened thousands of exercise studies published between 1995 and 2023 to determine the consistent trends in the literature. Based on the results of their modeling approach, cycling and high intensity interval training (HIIT) produced the most consistent effects in improvement of memory, attention, executive function, information...

High blood pressure (hypertension) causes thickening of the blood vessels and hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis). A study has shown that a similar phenomenon occurs in the lungs. High blood pressure hardens the bronchi and increases airway resistance, impairing respiratory capacity. "Our analysis showed that subjects who practiced regular physical activities appeared to be partially protected against hardening of the bronchi," Rodolfo de Paula Vieira. Prior research showed that lung function is closely linked to the ability of the lungs to expand and revert to their previous state (elastance and resistance), and that this was most altered in older patients...

Regular aerobic exercise later in life prevents genomic instability characterized by DNA damage and telomere dysfunction, according to a study. "These new findings will greatly impact our understanding of the mechanisms of how aerobic exercise improves vascular health at the level of genomic stability," says Jisok Lim, Ph.D. Late-life exercise used to be thought of as ineffective. However, existing studies indicate aerobic exercise later in life lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease-related mortality. Yet, specific factors contributing to this effect have not been completely understood. Researchers examined whether regular exercise with aging may prevent DNA damage and telomere dysfunction. Telomeres...

Patients who first seek physical therapy or chiropractic care have better outcomes and shorter episodes of acute care for low back pain, according to research. The findings show that for patients with acute episodes of low back pain, the first point of entry to the health care system is associated with utilization and total cost of care in the following year. Clinical practice guidelines prioritize nonpharmacologic and nonsurgical treatments. Patients are often prescribed opioid pain medications or referred to specialists for procedures—including surgery, imaging or steroid injections—that do not address the root causes of their pain. By combing through nearly...

Researchers who previously developed the first 3D human cell culture models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that displays two major hallmarks of the condition—the generation of amyloid beta deposits followed by tau tangles—have now used their model to investigate whether the exercise-induced muscle hormone irisin affects amyloid beta pathology. The team has uncovered promising results suggesting that irisin-based therapies might help combat AD. Exercise increases circulating levels of the muscle-derived hormone irisin, which regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in fat tissue and increases energy expenditure by accelerating the browning of white fat tissue. Studies have revealed that irisin is present in...

An oral supplement intended to stimulate a natural body process appears to promote muscle endurance and mitochondrial health in humans. New research suggests that the supplement, urolithin A, may help improve or prolong muscle activity in people who are aging or who have diseases that make exercise difficult. Urolithin A is a byproduct of a person's gut bacteria and a diet comprising polyphenols found in pomegranates, berries and nuts. The compound also is produced and sold by dietary supplement companies. Supplemental urolithin A has been shown in animal tests and molecular studies of humans to stimulate mitophagy, a process that...

If we all begin the same exercise routine tomorrow, some of us will become much fitter, others will get a little more in shape, and a few of us may actually lose fitness. Individual responses to exercise can vary that wildly and, until now, unpredictably. But a fascinating new study of more than 650 men and women suggests that the levels of certain proteins in our bloodstreams might foretell whether and how we will respond to various exercise regimens.The study needs replication and expansion, but represents a meaningful start toward a blood test to indicate the best types of exercise...

An IDF soldier was accused of refusing to participate in an exercise that was conducted several days before the evacuation of five buildings in the Ulpana neighborhood in Beit El that were designed to deal with the aftermath of the evacuation. The exercise was designed to teach soldiers how to handle “price tag” actions by youths opposed to the evacuation. Channel Two reported that the soldier refused to participate, telling commanders that this was not what he had joined the IDF for. The soldier was ejected from a commanders' course he was enrolled in....

DALLAS, Nov. 17 -- Once roused into action, sedentary elderly patients getting regular physical exercise can improve their physical functioning and decrease the risk of future disability, reported investigators in a multicenter study. With 424 sedentary men and women, 70 to 89 years old, a pilot study testing the validity of a structured exercise program showed that those randomized off the couch had significantly improved scores on a physical performance test compared with non-exercising controls. They were introduced to a combination of aerobics, strength, balance, and flexibility. Results of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders pilot (LIFE-P) study were...