Physical Activity News and Research

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Abnormal sleep duration adversely affects cardiovascular health

A study in the Aug. 1 issue of the journal Sleep suggests that regularly sleeping for more or less than seven hours per day is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

2 Aug 2010

BCBSNC receives CEO Cancer Gold Standard certification

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has received CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation, recognizing the organization's commitment to reducing the risk of cancer for employees and their families by promoting healthy lifestyle choices, encouraging early detection through cancer screenings, and ensuring access to quality treatment.

29 Jul 2010

ACS CAN report finds nearly half of all states falling short on legislative solutions to prevent, fight cancer

Nearly half of all states are falling short on legislative solutions to prevent and fight cancer, according to a new report released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). However, despite budget crises in several states, some state lawmakers still made positive progress in the fight against a disease that will kill an estimated 569,000 people in the United States this year.

29 Jul 2010

Reliance on assistive devices can affect everyday life in multiple ways: Study

Obese older adults are more likely to use walkers, canes and other mobility devices at a younger age, and may run the risk of using them incorrectly, according to new research from Purdue University.

29 Jul 2010

CIHR grants $2.5 million to probe impact of physical activity on breast cancer

Over the next five years, a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of researchers led by Dr. Kerry Courneya of the University of Alberta and Dr. Christine Friedenreich of Alberta Health Services will conduct a series of five large research projects to probe the impacts of physical activity on breast cancer thanks to a $2.5 million team grant over five years from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

28 Jul 2010

Adherence improves long-term effectiveness of exercise therapy in OA patients

Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip who adhere to the recommended home physical therapy exercises and physically active lifestyle experience more improvement in pain, physical function, and self-perceived effect according to a study from researchers in The Netherlands. Research also shows that maintenance of exercise behavior and physically active lifestyle after discharge of physical therapy improves the long-term effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with knee or hip OA.

27 Jul 2010

Four research teams to study role of exercise in preventing, treating chronic diseases

Canadians will benefit from new insights into the link between physical activity and health as the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced funding for four research teams through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. These teams will study the effects of exercise on the body and its role in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases including arthritis, breast cancer and heart disease.

27 Jul 2010

Study shows largest health benefits from light or moderate activity

A new study by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Cambridge University and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has found that even light or moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, can substantially reduced the risk of early death.

23 Jul 2010

More time spent sitting linked to higher risk of death

Childhood physical abuse associated with adulthood heart disease

Childhood physical abuse is associated with significantly elevated rates of heart disease in adulthood, according to new findings by University of Toronto researchers, published in this month's issue of the journal Child Abuse & Neglect.

23 Jul 2010

Poor intake of vitamins tends to have low bone density in children with celiac disease

Children with celiac disease need to include certain must-have vitamins in their diets to stave off weak bones and osteoporosis, say researchers at the University of Alberta. A study of 43 children and teens from three to 18 years of age diagnosed with celiac disease showed that they also tended to have low bone density, likely due to poor intake and absorption of vitamins and minerals. That means they should be getting more of bone-boosting vitamins such as K and D in their diets, says Diana Mager, a professor of agricultural, food and nutritional science at the U of A, and one of the researchers on the project.

23 Jul 2010

VA approves $2.8M for Gulf War Veterans' illness research program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved $2.8 million to fund three new research projects that focus on testing or developing new treatments for illnesses affecting Veterans who served in the Gulf War 1990-1991. The research incorporates recommendations of the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force.

22 Jul 2010

WHO, IOC team up to promote healthy lifestyle choices for noncommunicable disease prevention

WHO and the International Olympic Committee are teaming up to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including physical activity, sports for all, Tobacco Free Olympic Games, and the prevention of childhood obesity. As outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed today in Lausanne, the WHO and IOC will work at both the international and country level to promote activities and policy choices to help people reduce their risk of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, and diabetes.

22 Jul 2010

Living with children has a negative influence on parents' ability to exercise: Study

A study conducted at the Montreal Heart Institute has shown unexpectedly that living with children is linked to a reduction in physical activity. Carried out with 756 participants and led by Dr. Simon L. Bacon, Associate Researcher at the MHI and Professor at Concordia University, the study assessed the impact of social networks on exercise, revealing that people with heart disease who live with children exercise less than those people who do not live with children.

21 Jul 2010

Endovenous laser treatment can painlessly remove varicose, spider veins

Up until approximately a decade ago, vein stripping was the only means of eradicating unsightly varicose veins. This method involved making an incision in the leg, and using a hooked wire to pull the affected vein out of the body. The invasiveness of vein stripping often resulted in an overnight hospital stay and considerable restriction of physical activity for up to a month. However, since the laser surgery method first became FDA approved ten years ago, it has come a long way in allowing for more convenient, painless and rapid removal of problematic veins. One particular organization, the Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute, has become a beacon of successful laser treatment for phlebitis sufferers in Los Angeles and Southern California.

21 Jul 2010

Active play is important for children’s physical activity

Active play makes a significant contribution to children’s physical activity and could play an important part in the health of future generations, a new study has found.

20 Jul 2010

Heart patients living with children exercise less: Study

A study conducted at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) has shown unexpectedly that living with children is linked to a reduction in physical activity. Carried out with 756 participants and led by Dr. Simon L. Bacon, Associate Researcher at the MHI and Professor at Concordia University, the study assessed the impact of social networks on exercise, revealing that people with heart disease who live with children exercise less than those people who do not live with children.

20 Jul 2010

Athletes who undergo tissue transplant surgery for knee damage can return to sports: Study

Athletes with bone and cartilage knee damage who are treated with transplanted tissue can return to sports after surgery, according to a Hospital for Special Surgery study reported at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, held July 15-18 in Providence, Rhode Island. The study (abstract 8970) overturns the widely held belief that patients who undergo this surgery do not return to athletics.

20 Jul 2010

Simple health messages can prevent excess weight gain in young mothers

A simple community program has been shown to be effective in preventing excess weight gain commonly experienced by young mothers. The research, published online today in the British Medical Journal at bmj.com has found that weight gain can be prevented with a program based on simple health messages, small changes to behaviour, and delivered conveniently in a community setting.

17 Jul 2010

Citizens Bank, HealthPlus of Michigan engage employees in workplace wellness program

Two mid-size companies headquartered in Flint—Citizens Bank and HealthPlus of Michigan—recently put their heads together to creatively engage employees in a workplace wellness program.

16 Jul 2010