Physical Activity and Function in Older Age: It’s Never too Late to Start!

Despite the known benefits of physical activity to health and physical function in aging, the proportion of older adults meeting recommended physical activity guidelines remains low (27%). Since the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans were published, considerable evidence has emerged regarding the relative benefits of various modes or combinations of physical activity, such as progressive resistance training, multicomponent […]

High-Intensity Interval Training: For Fitness, for Health or Both?

That which was old is new again. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been a common component of exercise regimens designed to improve fitness and performance for many generations. In recent years, research interest has surged. A simple search of PubMed for the term “high-intensity interval training” reveals a more than 20-fold increase in the number […]

What’s New in the ACSM Pronouncement on Exercise and Hypertension?

Hypertension is a Pervasive Public Health Problem The American College of Cardiology (ACC)/ American Heart Association (AHA) Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines recently redefined hypertension to a lower blood pressure (BP) threshold of 130 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) or 80 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP) (1) versus the Joint National Commission 7 (JNC […]

Exercising in Hot and Cold Environments

Many people continue to participate in outdoor activities when seasonal changes occur. While it is very important to remain physically active throughout the year, it is equally important to prevent the risk for environmental-related injury. This downloadable guide contains advice for avoiding these injuries and conditions. Download the handout.

Five Frequently Asked Questions About the Physical Activity Guidelines

The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans on November 12, 2018. The guidelines are meant to to help Americans understand the types and amounts of physical activity that offer important health benefits. #1 How many Americans meet the Physical Activity Guidelines? In 2017, only […]

How to Meet the Physical Activity Guidelines in Everyday Activities

The other day I heard a story about a woman who hated to exercise. She wanted nothing of it: going to the gym, sweating, walking on the treadmill. Boring. No way! She’d heard about the latest 2018 U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines, but had dismissed them as irrelevant to her life. Recently, she stumbled onto an article […]