Fitness

In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers in the Republic of Korea synthesized evidence from placebo-controlled trials of beetroot juice supplementation and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) or maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during aerobic exercise. Read More.

VO2 max measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise. It’s become one of the buzziest fitness metrics on social media, with influencers and wearable devices touting it as a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness and even long-term health. Read More.

Researchers have uncovered a molecular “switch” that helps explain why exercise keeps aging muscles healthy. By reducing levels of a gene called DEAF1, physical activity allows older muscles to clear out damage, repair themselves, and maintain strength. Read More.

Despite the funny name, and perhaps not being as well-known as pushups or squats, burpees are a challenging exercise that work many of the major muscle groups in your body. Read More.

If you think your lower back isn’t strong enough to cope with the rigors of day-to-day life, you’d probably expect us to tell you to strengthen your lower back muscles. Read More.

Resistance training, a.k.a. strength training, delivers a ton of healthy perks, including building lean muscle mass, increasing bone density, boosting metabolism and improving your overall body composition. Read More.

Sports researchers in Malaysia found that offering a whiff of chocolate to people while working out helped them increase their performance during leg exercises. Read More.

A study published in Neurology has identified a rare group of older adults called “super movers” who appear to have a remarkable advantage: a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline, even when their brains show the same Alzheimer-related changes seen in other people their age. Read More.

Exercises such as bridges, crunches, and planks engage the various core muscles. Working these muscles can improve a person’s mobility, spinal and trunk stability, and support daily activity. Read More.

Fiber is good for your overall health, but whether or not it can improve your performance is nuanced. Sports nutritionists and gastroenterologists explain how increased fiber impacts workouts and when and which fiber-dense foods can support exercise. Read More.

A new study suggests that women who do at least 2 hours of strength training per week have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Read More.

Let’s face it: We’ve become obsessed with technology. Fitness wearables, step counting, sleep trackers—the list goes on and on. However, not every measure of healthy aging requires a medical test, fitness tracker, or complicated assessment. Read More.

It’s the Nordic formula training lovers are using to chase better endurance, heart health and a stronger VO2 max – all in less time than your average strength class. But if you’re wondering whether this cardio shortcut is all it’s cracked up to be, here’s what the experts say. Read More.

Vibration plates have become one of the latest fitness trends on social media, with users claiming the machines can burn fat, build muscle and improve overall health. But fitness experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center say many of those claims are overstated. Read More.

There are no shortcuts to building a strong core, but there is a Pilates technique you can use to make your training more effective. Read More.