Exercise & Mobility

Physical activity tends to dip in bad weather. Skipping exercise for long stretches could cheat your health. "Maintaining your fitness level through regular exercise confers a multitude of benefits ranging from improved insulin sensitivity to better cognitive health," says Jennifer Sacheck, PhD, an associate professor at Tufts' Friedman School. "Exercise simply should be part of your routine - rain or shine and in cold or warm weather." If the season weakens your resolve to exercise,…

The current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that you accumulate 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, ideally in bouts of 10 minutes or longer. So, either longer or shorter sessions on your exercise bike can be beneficial. If you work at a higher intensity during 15-minute bouts and a slower intensity during the 30-minute bouts, they may end up having nearly equal physiological benefits.

For every 30 minutes you spend in sedentary activity, such as watching TV or doing computer work, take a break for 3 to 5 minutes to do light activity, say new physical activity guidelines from the American Diabetes Association published in Diabetes Care.

Just 30 minutes of walking, five days a week, can save you $2,500 a year in medical costs, according to a new study of more than 26,000 people.

Could an ancient Chinese mind-body practice help with knee pain from osteoarthritis? A new Tufts study reports that tai chi produces benefits similar to physical therapy for osteoarthritis patients.

Taking early steps to protect against cold and flu through diet and lifestyle can help the flu shot fight seasonal viruses. Here are 10 simple preventative measures to boost immunity.

Need fresh motivation to lace up those walking shoes? A study of 1.44 million adults reports that physical activity is associated with lower risk of 13 types of cancer, including three of the four most common - breast, colon and lung cancer.

While losing weight can protect you against chronic diseases, it does come with a downside - especially for postmenopausal women: Studies have shown that obese older women who lose weight also lose lean muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD), particularly if they are inactive, potentially putting them at greater risk of frailty and falls.

If you followed the headlines about a recent study of contestants in the "Biggest Loser" reality-TV show, you might be despairing about your own chances of maintaining a healthy weight. The study, published in the journal Obesity, tracked contestants appearing on the shows eighth season, with 14 of the 16 willing to be re-measured six years later. On average, participants gained back more than two-thirds of the pounds they lost on the programs extreme diet and exercise regimen; some are even heavier now than before.

Even just walking to the bus stop or train station might help commuters control their weight, according to a large British study.