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Exercise and Fitness Archive

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Exercise challenge: Part 2

Performing exercises such as side planks, bridges, and squats can improve muscle strength. Ideally, people should do weight-bearing exercises at least twice a week. Having stronger muscles improves balance, protects bone health, and can help keep people independent as they age. It can also reduce pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

The best types of exercise when you have hip or knee pain

Non-weight-bearing exercise takes the burden off the hips and knees and makes it easier for people with joint pain to exercise. Exercise machines that are gentle on the joints include an elliptical trainer, a stationary bike, and a rowing machine. Low-impact exercises can also provide a good cardio workout and muscle strengthening without stressing the joints. Examples include pool exercises, tai chi, and short walks at a brisk pace.

Get SMART about your fitness goals

You are more likely to achieve and maintain your fitness goal if it revolves around a specific purpose or cause in one’s life. This helps you define the structure and direction to adopt the right exercise program to help fulfill it. The SMART approach—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely—helps you define your fitness goal and create a realistic path to achieve it.

Does exercise really boost energy levels?

Exercise can create physical changes that help increase energy levels inside the body. In addition, it can induce better sleep at night, which helps people feel more energetic in the morning.

Is a "normal" blood pressure reading too high for women?

A study published Feb. 16, 2021, in Circulation found that women with blood pressure readings in a normal range may still be at higher risk for cardiovascular events. For example, heart attack risk in women rose at a systolic (the upper number) reading of 110 to 119 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and was the same at this level as men with a systolic pressure of 160 mm Hg. But experts say it’s too soon to change blood pressure recommendations for women until more research confirms the results.

No equipment necessary

People who are not ready to return to the gym can get an all-around workout at home by using only their body weight. Body-weight exercises are often comparable to using weights and machines, and help people return to fitness after an injury or long layoff. They also can help older adults improve everyday movements. A simple workout might include chair squats, step-ups, and push-ups.

Have a safe trip!

People with heart-related conditions or risks should take simple precautions when travelling by airplane. These include taking steps to ease stress, such as listening to music or reading a good book; bringing medications in their original containers in carry-on luggage; and not worrying too much about blood clots, which are uncommon during air travel even in people with a history of clots.

Coming out of COVID

As Americans begin to slowly move out of the COVID-19 pandemic, they may face old and new challenges. People should use this transition period to prepare mentally and emotionally for a post-COVID world. Steps include planning how to safely return to social gathering, restarting health habits that have fallen away, and addressing mental health issues.

Pandemic weight gain: Not your imagination

A study described in a research letter published March 22, 2021, by JAMA Network Open found that participants steadily gained weight during the first part of the pandemic, from February to June 2020.

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