Fitness

New research shows resistance training does more than build muscle, it supercharges your gut microbiome, improving digestion, immunity, and overall health. Just 2-3 weight-training sessions a week can reshape your gut’s trillions of bacteria. Noticeable changes can appear in as little as just a few weeks.

While most people know exercise boosts health, the reasons are often unclear. New research has pinpointed a protein called CLCF1, which is crucial for exercise's benefits. During physical activity, muscles release CLCF1, which strengthens muscles and bones while slowing musculoskeletal aging.

A recent study reveals that men may require nearly double the weekly exercise compared to women to gain equivalent heart health benefits. As researchers have increasingly scrutinized the optimal exercise levels for meaningful outcomes, this new evidence highlights a striking gender disparity. Men must exert twice the effort to match women's cardiovascular disease prevention.

Regular exercise keeps your body and brain sharp as you age. It preserves mobility, supports independence, and may slow cognitive decline. New research shows exercise reprograms the body at the molecular level, fundamentally transforming biological systems from the inside out.

If you're dedicated to a consistent exercise routine, you might be curious about the optimal time to work out. Morning, evening, or a combination of both? The best time may depend on your fitness goals, as different times of day offer unique benefits.

Resistance training entails pushing or pulling against an external force. While research on resistance training has traditionally centered on muscle and bone adaptations, little is known about how it affects nerve adaptability. New research reveals that it helps minimize age-related nerve decline, which could help reduce the risk of falls and injuries in older adults.

A recent study cautions that excessive visceral fat, which accumulates deep in the abdomen and encases vital organs, may hasten the aging of the heart and blood vessels. In contrast to subcutaneous fat, which lies just under the skin, visceral fat presents greater health dangers because of its close proximity to vital internal organs.

High-intensity interval training, which alternates short bursts of vigorous exercise with moderate activity, is well-known among athletes and trainers for its benefits. It entails switching between brief bouts of high-intensity activity and short recovery periods. This exercise approach can elevate metabolic rate for hours post-workout, resulting in enhanced calorie burn even during rest.

A new global study reveals a striking contradiction, in that people in developed nations burn an excess of calories daily more than those living conventional lifestyles, yet they are significantly heavier. Even with regular exercise and increased calorie burning, obesity rates continue to climb. Weight loss isn't just about shedding fat, it also involves losing muscle and water, prompting the body to slow its metabolism in response. Moreover, the type of food you eat affects how your body stores fat and energy.

A study indicates that physical activity tends to decline years before heart problems emerge, with moderate exercise dropping roughly 12 years prior to a diagnosis. Many mistake this gradual loss of stamina for normal aging, but early detection offers a significant opportunity for preventive measures.

It’s well-established that exercise improves health. Regular physical activity not only fortifies muscles but also enhances blood vessels, bones, and immune system. But might it also promote the growth of nerve cells? Recent research indicates that exercise can enhance neuron development not just through biochemical pathways but also through the mechanical actions of muscle contractions.

Dementia is a growing global health challenge that takes a significant toll on both individuals and society. With no cure yet available, finding ways to slow its progression or reduce the risk of developing it is critical for supporting healthy aging. Now, new research points to weight training as a potential way to help protect the brain from dementia.