Physical activity and exercise Archive

People with low blood pressure, which is defined as consistently having a reading lower than 90/60 mm Hg, sometimes feel dizzy or lightheaded during or after exercise. But modifying your exercise routine and taking simple precautions can help.

A 2026 study found that older “super-movers”—adults 80 and older who walk significantly faster than their peers—were substantially less likely than slower walkers to develop cognitive impairment and had larger memory-related brain regions, suggesting that brisk walking speed may signal, or even support, healthier brain aging.

Summer is a great time to take a hike, but it’s essential to make sure you’re prepared for the weather and conditions where you are. Hiking safely and planning ahead will make your trek more enjoyable.

Beyond familiar kettlebell exercises such as kettlebell swings, many lesser-known kettlebell moves can create a full-body workout. Examples include around-the-world passes, bottoms-up kettlebell carries, and kettlebell deadlifts.

People’s energy levels typically decrease later in life as a result of aging, illness, or other factors. Fortunately, a healthier lifestyle can boost energy. That involves eating a diet low in added sugars and processed foods, getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night, managing stress, getting lots of aerobic exercise, and strengthening the muscles. Using physical energy frugally is another useful strategy. For example, it helps to perform activities at a slow, steady pace instead of a fast pace; to break activities into small tasks instead of one large job; and to rest between tasks.

What could you do today to feel happier? Three strategies drawn from positive psychology, a field that aims to improve moods and lives, may help.

Older adults need a strong core to stay active and healthy. While the core comprises many muscles, the four main ones lie within the abdomen: the rectus abdominis in the front; the external and internal obliques on the sides; and the deep, flat transversus abdominis wrapping your midsection. Several core exercises work many of these muscles, but the dead bug exercise can engage all of them and is safe for older adults, as it can be modified for any age or limitations. The dead bug is done by lying on the back and moving the limbs up and down to imitate a dying insect.

A 2026 study suggested that women who consistently stay active throughout middle age have a significantly lower risk of dying early than peers who are inactive.

Harvard fitness expert Michele Stanten takes you through a simple exercise to tighten your abs, strengthen your back, and improve your balance.

Sleeping 11 additional minutes, doing an extra five minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and eating just a quarter-cup more of vegetables each day was linked to a 10% reduction in heart attacks, strokes, and other serious heart problems, according to a 2026 study.