Heart rate zones aren’t a perfect measure of exercise intensity, but regularly getting your heart pumping is still important for fitness

Both high- and moderate-intensity exercise provides similar overall health benefits.

Jason Sawyer, Associate Professor of Exercise and Movement Science, Bryant University • conversation
April 1, 2024 ~8 min

Exercise may or may not help you lose weight and keep it off – here's the evidence for both sides of the debate

Some researchers assert that the body responds to exercise by burning fewer calories when you’re not working out. Regardless of its effects on weight loss, exercise provides many health benefits.

Donald M. Lamkin, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
July 18, 2023 ~9 min


Faster-than-reflexes robo-boots boost balance

If you want to use an exoskeleton to improve balance, a study finds that superhuman reflexes can help you stay upright.

Owen Beck, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin • conversation
Feb. 15, 2023 ~6 min

Winning the Tour de France requires subtle physics, young muscles and an obscene amount of calories – 3 essential reads

Three scientists explain the biology and physics of what goes into one of the world’s most grueling races, the Tour de France.

Daniel Merino, Assistant Science Editor and Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast • conversation
June 30, 2022 ~6 min

A boom in fitness trackers isn't leading to a boom in physical activity – men, women, kids and adults in developed countries are all moving less

Research is revealing that fitness trackers alone can be helpful facilitators toward changing a sedentary lifestyle but don’t motivate people to increase their physical activity.

Lindsay Toth, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, University of North Florida • conversation
May 4, 2022 ~8 min

The COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to make a healthy shift in body ideals

For many, the pandemic has disrupted daily habits around eating and fitness – which makes it a prime time to shake up old assumptions about achieving an ideal body.

Janet J. Boseovski, Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina – Greensboro • conversation
Nov. 23, 2021 ~9 min

Standing on one leg is a sign of good health – and practising is good for you too

Practising standing on one leg has also sorts of benefits, research shows

Dawn Skelton, Professor in Ageing and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University • conversation
Oct. 6, 2021 ~6 min

Health apps track vital health stats for millions of people, but doctors aren't using the data – here's how it could reduce costs and patient outcomes

Connecting health apps to health care can enable better care for patients with chronic diseases, and it has the potential to lower skyrocketing US health spending.

Saligrama Agnihothri, Professor of Supply Chain and Business Analytics, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
July 28, 2021 ~8 min


Group exercise may be even better for you than solo workouts – here's why

Your most important piece of exercise gear may be the friends you buddy up with to work out.

Jacob Meyer, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Iowa State University • conversation
Dec. 29, 2020 ~9 min

Regular exercise has long-term benefits for immunity – it's important to stay active

Though it was previously thought vigorous exercise could suppress immune function, research shows that most forms of regular exercise can help your immune system to work its best.

John P Campbell, Lecturer, University of Bath • conversation
April 10, 2020 ~6 min

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