Fitness

Fitness is the condition of being fit, suitable or appropriate; the cultivation of an attractive and healthy physique; the ability to perform a function.

Fitness at 50 – free from chronic illness

Midlife fitness staves off chronic disease at end of life, UT Southwestern researchers report — Fitness at 50 – free from chronic illness – Being physically fit during your 30s, 40s, and 50s not only helps extend lifespan, but it also increases the chances of aging healthily, free from chronic illness. For decades, research has shown that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels lessen the risk of death, but it previously had been unknown just how much fitness might affect the burden of chronic disease in the most senior years ? a concept known as morbidity compression.

Physical Inactivity becoming a Global Pandemic

Researcher Calls for Global Action on Pandemic of Physical Inactivity – The high prevalence and consequences of physical inactivity should be recognized as a global pandemic, according to a new publication by Harold W. Kohl, III, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology at The University of Texas School of Public Health, part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

Bird flu may be possible from human to human through air

Avian flu viruses which are transmissible between humans could evolve in nature — Research provides insight into feasibility of virus becoming airborne transmissible – It might be possible for human-to-human airborne transmissible avian H5N1 influenza viruses to evolve in nature, new research has found. The findings, from research led by Professor Derek Smith and Dr Colin Russell at the University of Cambridge, were published today, 22 June in the journal Science.

Increasing muscle mass may lower diabetes risk

Increased muscle mass may lower risk of pre-diabetes — Study shows building muscle can lower person’s risk of insulin resistance – The greater an individual’s total muscle mass, the lower the person’s risk of having insulin resistance, the major precursor of type 2 diabetes, revealed by researchers in a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Musical activity may improve cognitive aging

Musical activity may improve cognitive aging – A study conducted by Brenda Hanna-Pladdy, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist in Emory’s Department of Neurology, and cognitive psychologist Alicia MacKay, PhD, found that older individuals who spent a significant amount of time throughout life playing a musical instrument perform better on some cognitive tests than individuals who did not play an instrument.

Elderly must start tai chi to prevent falls

New guidelines for preventing falls in the elderly include: start tai chi, cut-back on meds – In the first update of the American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatric Society’s guidelines on preventing falls in older persons since 2001, they now recommend that all interventions for preventing falls should include an exercise component and that a number of new assessments should be used, including; feet and footwear, fear of falling, and ability to carry out daily living activities.

Walking 3000 steps every day reduces diabetes risk

Taking more steps every day can help ward off diabetes — Association of change in daily step count over five years with insulin sensitivity and adiposity – Simply taking more steps every day not only helps ward off obesity but also reduces the risk of diabetes, finds a study published in BMJ UK.

Healthy habits in youth linked to better cholesterol levels

Adopting Healthy Habits in Youth Associated With More Favorable Cholesterol Levels in Early Adulthood – Lifestyle changes between childhood and adulthood appear associated with whether an individual will maintain, improve or develop high-risk cholesterol levels.

Exercise reduces frequency and severity of colds

Physical fitness curbs frequency and severity of colds — Upper respiratory tract infection is reduced in physically fit and active adults – People who are physically fit and active have fewer and milder colds, indicates research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier

Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier during, after treatment – Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

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