Exercise and Fitness Archive

A 2024 study suggested that even five minutes of additional vigorous daily exercise could lower blood pressure.

Wearing a weighted vest can make exercises more challenging and place extra pressure on the bones, which may help maintain bone mass by stimulating the growth of new bone cells. They can be worn while walking, running, or doing body-weight or free-weight exercises.

Chair exercises are a great way to supplement a person's regular workout, or as a replacement when they can't do their usual routine. They also can be used for people returning to exercise after an injury or surgery, or for those with physical limitations. Chair exercises can offer a full-body workout and especially help address two areas people need assistance with as they get older: strength and flexibility. Most chair exercises can be modified to make the movements more or less challenging.

A 2024 Harvard study of 90,000 people (average age 62), followed for about 10 years, found that getting 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was tied to improved health, particularly heart health. But among people who got the recommended amount of exercise, those who were the most sedentary the rest of the time had a greater risk of developing heart failure and dying from heart disease, compared with those who were the least sedentary.

Popular exercise styles can be subject to trends. Scientists have studied high-intensity bursts of exercise a great deal in recent years, but research continues to also focus on the health benefits of moderate-intensity, continuous movement. Studies suggest both types of exercise can lower the odds of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature death. High-intensity exercise, however, can help people fulfill recommended exercise guidelines in less time. It does pose drawbacks, however, such as a higher risk of injuries and inflammation to joints and muscles.