Newswise — Bethesda, Md. (October 31, 2016)—Leading experts will convene at the Integrative Biology of Exercise 7 meeting (Nov. 2–4 in Phoenix) to discuss current research and new findings on how exercise affects us at all stages of life, from preconception to old age. See highlighted research abstracts below. Contact the APS Communications Office for full abstracts or to contact a member of the research team.
What’s the Best Age to Start Exercising for Lifelong Health Benefits?EMBARGOED UNTIL Nov. 4, 9:30 a.m. MST: We know that exercise confers a slew of benefits on humans and animals, but what’s the ideal age to start exercise and reap maximum benefit? “Numerous genetic and environmental influences on adult physical activity have been identified, but effects of experiences during early-life are not well understood. ‘Early-life’ effects can occur at any point prior to sexual maturity, while the brain and body continue to develop, including alterations of sperm or eggs that occur prior to conception, during gestation or egg development, around birth, and while experiencing maternal or paternal provisioning and care (e.g., via lactation),” Theodore Garland of the University of California, Riverside, wrote. Garland will discuss research that explores the effects of early life exercise during the symposia “Activity and Exercise during Pregnancy and Early Development: Implications for Long-Term Health”.
Male Mice Have Bigger … Tendons EMBARGOED UNTIL Nov. 4, 1 p.m. MST: Women have worse clinical outcomes than men for chronic tendon injuries. Researchers from the University of Michigan and University of Liverpool studied the plantaris tendon in mice to find out whether structural differences exist between the male and female tendons and whether these differences might play a role in these injuries.
Physical Activity both Improves and Worsens Health Risk Factors in Older Women, Study FindsEMBARGOED UNTIL Nov. 4, 1 p.m. MST: Sixty-three older female volunteers participated in a four-month exercise program of moderate intensity. Researchers at the University of South Carolina wanted to see how physical activity affected health risk factors such as blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels, and waist circumference. Almost all of the women showed improvement in some markers. The surprise: 75 percent of the women fared worse in other risk factors.
In the Battle of the Workstations, Which Helps Boost Metabolic Rate?EMBARGOED UNTIL Nov. 4, 1 p.m. MST: Many office workers are taking a stand—at their desks—by choosing standing desks to lessen the negative health effects of too much sitting. Researchers compared three types of workstations: Sitting, standing and sitting using a HOVR, which promotes leg movement while seated. They found that both standing and sitting using the HOVR boosted metabolic rate, but one was more effective.
Could Fat in the Diet Serve as a Motivator for Exercise?EMBARGOED UNTIL Nov. 4, 1 p.m. MST: A team of researchers from Tokushima University in Japan previously found that intake of a high-fat diet “increased spontaneous wheel running in rodents.” Research by other groups suggests that certain fatty acids stimulate PPAR-alpha antagonist, a molecule that could be involved in this process. In this study, the Tokushima team focused on how a high-fat diet interacts with PPAR-alpha in the gut to contribute to exercise motivation.
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: The Integrative Biology of Exercise 7 meeting will be held in Phoenix, Nov. 2–4, 2016. Read the full program. To schedule an interview with the conference organizers or presenters, contact the APS Communications Office or call 301-634-7209. Find more research highlights in the APS Press Room.
Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in 1887, the American Physiological Society (APS) was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than 11,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals with a worldwide readership.
RSS