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Fitness & Physical activity news
Can beetroot juice boost your sports performance? Here's what the latest study shows
Evidence that beetroot juice can improve athletic performance has long been inconsistent. While some studies reported benefits, others found little or no effect. Now, a new study combining results from 33 studies provides ...
1 hour ago
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Keeping moms in the game: FIFA launches guide for pregnant and post-partum players
Soccer players who are pregnant or have recently given birth can kick off the season with more confidence, using a new FIFA tool developed in collaboration with a University of Alberta researcher. Two decision aids, one for ...
4 hours ago
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Mouse study uncovers how transcription factors HIF1α and HIF2α regulate different aspects muscle physiology
Skeletal muscles—responsible for movement, joint stabilization and postural support—are highly metabolically active and heavily reliant on oxygen during physical activity. However, conditions such as high-intensity exercise ...
9 hours ago
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The smell of dark chocolate could make a leg workout easier, even on an empty stomach
Could the smell of chocolate wafting through the gym make strength training easier, or at least more pleasant? A new Frontiers in Physiology study found that sniffing dark chocolate with a high cocoa content decreased feelings ...
Jul 9, 2026
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A call for greater focus on social factors that shape health
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has published a new call to action statement urging the sports medicine community to intentionally incorporate social determinants of health (SDoH) into research, clinical care, ...
Jul 9, 2026
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Many elite athletes live with health impacts long after they retire. Should they carry all the costs?
When former All Black Sonny Bill Williams spoke from hospital before his recent neck surgery, his message was not simply about pain. It was a warning to young athletes and their parents about the physical price that can come ...
Jul 9, 2026
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What World Cup football can teach us about managing fatigue in extreme conditions
A football player standing over a penalty in a hot, high-altitude stadium is dealing with more than pressure. His body is trying to keep cool. His heart and breathing may be working harder. Less oxygen is reaching his muscles. ...
Jul 9, 2026
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Investigating AI-based personal training
A feature News and Perspectives story on AI fitness advice has been published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.. In "Should AI Be Your Personal Trainer?", JMIR Correspondent Anna Zucker covers the growing use of ...
Jul 9, 2026
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After weight loss, exercise improves cardiovascular health more than weight-loss medication
People with severe obesity who exercise regularly have healthier blood vessels and lower inflammation than those who rely on medication alone, a new study from the University of Copenhagen shows.
Jul 8, 2026
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Moderate, home-based exercise found safe for aortic dissection survivors
A multicenter clinical trial led by UTHealth Houston has found that survivors of aortic dissection can participate in moderate-intensity exercise at home without increasing the risk of recurrent aortic events. The study is ...
Jul 8, 2026
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In São Paulo, Brazil, the expansion of bike lanes and parks encourages residents to cycle more
According to a study that analyzed the behavior of 1,500 São Paulo residents between 2014 and 2024, the implementation of new bike lanes, parks and other public facilities in the Brazilian city has encouraged transportation-related ...
Jul 8, 2026
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Training program could ward off injuries among soccer girls
A targeted training program can help young female soccer players avoid torn knees and other injuries, a new study says. Girls who play soccer have a higher risk of leg and ankle injuries than boys, due to differences in strength ...
Jul 8, 2026
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Sitting for long stretches linked to a higher risk of death from cancer
Sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time is linked to a higher risk of dying from cancer, while breaking up long sitting spells with light activity appeared to lower that risk, according to new data. But media reports on ...
Jul 7, 2026
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The story of the study of post-exercise hypotension
In 1981, a researcher at Mount Sinai School of Medicine named William Fitzgerald noticed something strange—his blood pressure was lower after going for a jog. This anecdotal observation launched a robust investigation into ...
Jul 7, 2026
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What are peptides? And why am I hearing so much about them?
Peptide may not yet be the 2026 Oxford Word of the Year, but it must surely be in the running. From your friendly neighborhood influencer to the gym bros, injectable peptides have been all over social media and are now making ...
Jul 7, 2026
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Movement breaks reduce health risks
People who sit at a desk for most of the day know the importance of taking a break, but new University of Otago—Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka research has determined exactly how often they should get up and move around. The study ...
Jul 7, 2026
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Physical activity may help ease fatigue in children with developmental disabilities
Fatigue can be a daily challenge for children with developmental disabilities, affecting participation in school, play and other activities. In a new study by Virginia Tech researchers from the Fralin Biomedical Research ...
Jul 7, 2026
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Five hidden pitfalls of fitness tracking
Many people in the U.K. now use apps, smartwatches or wearable devices to track their physical activity. Fitness trackers promise to help users become fitter, happier and healthier versions of themselves. For many people, ...
Jul 4, 2026
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Experts offer advice on performing endurance events in excessive heat
As pro cycling teams have been preparing for the start of the Tour de France on Saturday, extreme heat has rolled across Western Europe, smashing temperature records, cracking infrastructure and taking a toll on the population.
Jul 3, 2026
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Long sitting bouts linked to increased cancer risk
Each additional hour of prolonged, uninterrupted sedentary behavior in a person's day is associated with a 9% higher risk of cancer death, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine by Frederick Ho of the University ...
Jul 2, 2026
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Men should speed up slower to avoid 'hitting the wall' in marathons, new research suggests
Male runners may be twice as likely as female runners to suddenly slow down—known as "hitting the wall"—during a marathon, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. The authors suggest that men may be able to ...
Jul 2, 2026
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Almost half of dementia cases could be prevented—but change is needed
Nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented by tackling modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, low education or social isolation, but new Curtin University research suggests current public health ...
Jul 2, 2026
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Move to quit: Exercise boosts smoking quit rates
A pack-a-day smoker can spend around $14,000 a year on cigarettes, yet despite the financial and health costs, quitting remains one of the most difficult changes many people will ever attempt.
Jul 2, 2026
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Extreme heat is rising—and so is the risk to your heart
As summer heat intensifies across the U.S., the American Heart Association is warning that soaring temperatures don't just make people uncomfortable—they can put serious strain on the heart and increase the risk of life-threatening ...
Jul 2, 2026
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Many treatments help chronic back pain, but only in the short term
A large-scale analysis by an international research team, led by Bochum University of Applied Sciences, shows that nonsurgical treatments such as massage, exercise therapy or acupuncture for chronic back pain can alleviate ...
Jul 1, 2026
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