Credit: iStock/Zorica Nastasic As the population ages, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and other neurodegenerative diseases are on the rise. These conditions can make independence harder, but exercise can protect your brain. Aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging and bicycling can improve brain health, size and function. Research has shown that strength training may offer … Continue reading The Brain-boosting Power of Strength Training
Exercise Physiology
Stay Cool with Sunscreen, Even on the Move
Credit: iStock/aldomurillo Exercise is essential for our health. And when you’re exercising—or doing anything—outdoors, using sunscreen is important to protect your body from skin-damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer. However, many people who are active outdoors think that sunscreen reduces exercise performance by making us overheat. But, rest assured: … Continue reading Stay Cool with Sunscreen, Even on the Move
Exercise and Healthspan Go Hand in Hand
Conference attendees listen intently at a 2024 American Physiology Summit session. “Healthspan” is a new buzzword recently added to our vocabulary. It reflects the length of time we stay healthy rather than simply being alive. While the average lifespan in the U.S. is around 79 years, the average healthspan (the age at which someone develops … Continue reading Exercise and Healthspan Go Hand in Hand
2023’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Credit: iStock This year, as science celebrated the discoveries that gave us mRNA vaccines to fight COVID-19 and gene editing treatments for sickle cell disease, our contributors also brought you fascinating, fun and insightful physiology stories on the I Spy Physiology blog. From the always-popular topic of spaceflight to the always-important matter of mental health, … Continue reading 2023’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Want to Improve Your Health? Try Pedaling with One Leg Instead of Two
Credit: iStock More than half of all people in the U.S. are living with at least one chronic disease. Fortunately, physical activity and exercise can help manage symptoms and improve overall health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults living with chronic conditions engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity … Continue reading Want to Improve Your Health? Try Pedaling with One Leg Instead of Two
2021’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Credit: iStock This year, as the pandemic continued, the lights of labs and classrooms switched back on as scientists and students returned to studying, working and researching in person. Our I Spy blog contributors wrote about a wide range of topics this year, including aging, the physiological effects of grieving, achieving optimal physical performance and … Continue reading 2021’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Addressing the Gender Gap in Sports Science
Credit: iStock Whether your favorite sport is swimming, track and field, fencing, field hockey or another of the 33 sports with competitions in Tokyo this summer, watching elite athletes perform is often an awe-inspiring event. You may ask yourself “how do they do that?” as you watch the incredible feats. However, more and more scientists … Continue reading Addressing the Gender Gap in Sports Science
How Low Can You Go? New Insights into Time-efficient Exercise
Credit: iStock Many people want to get healthier or perform sports better, but not everyone has the free time to train like an Olympian. “Lack of time” is often cited as a major barrier for not meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week—a goal only 40% of Americans achieve. As a … Continue reading How Low Can You Go? New Insights into Time-efficient Exercise
Moms Who Exercise Have Healthier Kids
Credit: iStock When you exercise, your muscles get stronger, you may lose body fat, you can run farther and faster than before and your chance of getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease go way down. But have you thought about how your exercising can affect your kids’ health, too? At this year’s Experimental Biology … Continue reading Moms Who Exercise Have Healthier Kids
Sip a Sports Drink to Keep the Electrolytes Flowing
Credit: iStock Most people know it’s important to stay hydrated (but not too much!) during an intense workout. A sports drink can be an ideal beverage choice, but do you know why? After working out for an hour or so on a hot summer day, you may begin to sweat, get muscle cramps and/or become … Continue reading Sip a Sports Drink to Keep the Electrolytes Flowing