The flood of new science from the past decade extolling the benefits of exercise for brain health are simply mind-blowing. Thanks to Columbia University researchers, we have yet another study to add to our “exercise for brain health” archive. After following the exercise habits of 1,238 elderly subjects over a six-year period of time, investigators […]
Worried about your memory? I have some promising news from 2 new studies. In the first, scientists gave a dietary supplement of DHA, the omega 3 fat that comprises much of the solid structure of the brain, to a group of healthy older adults who met the criteria for age-related cognitive decline. A second group […]
In a first-of-its-kind, elegantly designed study, scientists determined that physically fit 9 and 10 year olds have a bigger hippocampus (key area of the brain involved in memory and learning) and perform better cognitively than their less-fit peers. (Brain Research, Sept 2010) Children/teens who consume “competitive foods” at school (those sold in vending machines […]
For adults, especially those over the age of forty, resistance physical activity is essential to maintain health. Resistance physical activities include lifting weights, yoga, and using bands. Benefits are numerous and include maintaining metabolism (preventing weight gain), reducing cardiovascular risk, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, maintaining strength and functionality, increasing bone density and […]
I am a huge advocate of monitoring heart rate during exercise to optimize health, safety and fitness and for the first time a landmark report has determined what calculation can accurately give women their “peak heart rate.” Instead of the traditional 220 minus your age, the new formula is 206 minus 88% of your age. […]
We all know that vigorous physical activity is great for our health, but what if we have arthritis or some other joint condition? Thankfully, there are a host of joint-friendly ways to get your heart rate up to reap all the benefits of aerobic exercise while sparing your joints both stress and pain. Take a […]
In a study of over 39,000 US females followed over 12 years, those who engaged regularly in brisk walking were 37% less likely to have a stroke. (Stroke, April 2010) Are you getting enough exercise? For more detailed guidance, check out 8 Steps to Lifelong Wellness & Vitality.
A mammoth study involving 1.2 million Swedish men determined that the better the cardiovascular fitness level at age 18, the better the cognitive function throughout adulthood. In this study, there was no relationship between muscle strength at age 18 and future intelligence scores. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online, December 2009
I remain in awe of the spectacular power physical activity provides on the disease-busting front. Two new studies trumpet yet again its effectiveness for keeping the big C at bay. Reporting in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (July 09), Finnish researchers concluded that men who engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise for at least […]
With the H1N1 virus making its debut with an unprecedented vengeance – we all need to be more vigilant in keeping our innate immune defenses working at peak performance. Past studies have consistently shown that those who maintain a regular exercise regimen get less colds and flu type infections than their couch potato counterparts. A […]
Here are some quick highlights from a number of cool, new studies on the weight loss front: High intensity aerobic exercise is effective for reshaping body contour. (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Oct 08). If you want to “spot” reduce your waistline, high intensity workouts appear to do the trick. Spinning has definitely […]
Assuming you are a non-smoker, engaging in regular physical activity is the most powerful thing you can do to protect your health and a hot-off-the-press report confirms a simple means to gauge whether your effort is enough to reap the extraordinary benefits. The latest guidelines urge all adults to engage in 30 to 60 minutes […]
