Importance of Exercise in Hypertension Identification and Management
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, remains the leading modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factor. It is estimated that nearly half of American adults have hypertension, which is defined as a resting systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 130 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 80 mmHg. Even more alarming, […]
Diving into Health: Aquatic HIIT for Older Women
Recent public health guidelines emphasize the importance of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as an effective strategy for improving cardiometabolic health, particularly among older adults. While land-based HIIT (L-HIIT) has gained popularity, it may not be the best fit for everyone, especially elderly individuals struggling with deconditioning and joint issues. This is where aquatic high-intensity interval […]
Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Platelet Reactivity
Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has long been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), and platelets are key mediators in atherosclerotic CVD and thrombosis. However, few prior studies have examined associations between fitness and platelets, the majority exploring platelet reactivity after acute exercise bouts and showing a transient platelet hyperreactivity phase. Studies that have looked at chronic […]
Ultramarathons and the Heart-Lung Interface
The popularity of ultramarathon trail running has increased rapidly in recent years, with thousands of events now held annually around the world. Ultramarathons are broadly defined by an event distance that exceeds the traditional marathon (42.195 km) and typically range from ~45 to 170 km. In contrast to the traditional marathon, ultramarathon events are frequently […]
Does Cardiorespiratory Fitness Prevent Breast Cancer in Women?
Scientific evidence collected for seven decades strongly supports the position that higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels are associated with more favorable health outcomes, including mortality due to various cancers. Findings from several small population studies suggest that a physically active lifestyle offers protection against pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer. However, physical activity in these studies […]
Fighting, Faith and Asynchronous Cardiac Rehab: Get to Know Alexis Bhagat, ACSM-CEP
Alexis Bhagat fought her way into sports medicine. The 32-year-old clinical exercise physiologist is a true Millennial: like many of us, she went to the mat, so to speak, on an extracurricular activity. Specifically karate, which blossomed into an impressive athletic career. And it was no surprise: Both of her older brothers were also fiercely […]
Reducing Heart Disease Risk for Young and Middle-Aged African Americans
In the U.S., the death rate for African Americans with heart disease is declining. However, more than 100,000 African Americans continue to die each year from cardiovascular disease and retain a significantly higher death rate than any other racial group. A January 2022 report from the Office of Minority Health noted that approximately 57% of African Americans have […]
Women’s Heart Health: Key Resources
Did you know heart disease is the #1 killer of women, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined? High blood pressure accounts for one in five deaths among women in the U.S. and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While these statistics might surprise you, February as American Heart Health month […]
The Importance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, A 10-Year Update
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) policy statement “The Importance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the United States: The Need for a National Registry.” In my teaching and lecturing, I have often commented that the field of exercise physiology is a very young area of science. Much of the foundations […]
NFL Announces ACSM as New Member of Its Smart Hearts Coalition
The National Football League (NFL) announced on October 13, 2023 that the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has joined its Smart Hearts Coalition. Read the release. Founded in March of this year in response to the life-saving emergency care provided to Damar Hamlin, the NFL’s Smart Hearts Coalition is advocating for all 50 states to […]