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Fitness & Physical activity news

Vaping or smoking found to reduce fitness in young people by 15%

Young people who vape or smoke cigarettes have reduced blood vessel function, breathing efficiency and exercise capacity compared with those who have never smoked or vaped, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research.

Pro soccer players show signs of shrinking brains

World Cup fever has America in its grip as the international soccer tournament grinds steadily toward the final. But a new study highlights a darker side to the sport: the toll soccer can take on the brains of professional ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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.

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 ...

Supporting people with disability to participate in sport

Taking part in sport offers more than just improved fitness or mental well-being for people with disability; it can also build confidence, independence and create a deeper sense of belonging in the community. Despite the ...

Robots can improve the health of older people, trial shows

A new trial has shown that using telepresence robots to support the well-being and health of older people in their homes can improve physical strength and balance, as well as social interaction and confidence. The work is ...