Research/News
Chewing Less, Gaining More: A Weight Gain Effect of Ultra-Processed Food
Here is some concerning news: more than half of the calories adults eat at home now come from ultra-processed foods and previous research has demonstrated that if you eat a…
Focus on Fitness
Fit or fat? The conversation continues. Fit pros know that fitness is important, yet many people focus on weight rather than physical activity. A recent systematic review of 20 studies…
How Long to Form a New Habit?
New exercisers face the challenge of sticking with a new activity program. Personal trainers are all too familiar with clients who quit when they don’t experience fast, visible results. Sharing…
Holistic Approaches to Health: Combining Physical Training with Mental Well-being for Optimal Client Results
Holistic health is an increasingly popular and effective approach to fitness and wellness, especially as we come to understand the complex connections between the body and mind. Health and fitness…
People Are Talking About . . .
Australian Conor Johnstone MSc, personal trainer in Australia, who has cerebral palsy and who competed in the 2024 World Para Jiu-Jitsu Championships;… A pickleball program at the YMCA of the…
Running for Health: A Brief Review
In the 5th century BC, the physician Hippocrates stated: “All parts of the body, if used in moderation and exercised in labors to which each is accustomed, become thereby healthy…
Boost Your Fitness Business This Holiday Season: How to Use ChatGPT to Keep Clients Engaged and Motivated
The holiday season is a unique challenge for fitness professionals. Clients’ routines are disrupted by travel, social gatherings, and holiday indulgences, which often leads to inconsistent training schedules and wavering…
Celebrating a Year of Triumph and Looking Forward to New Horizons
As we close the chapter on another incredible year, I find myself both humbled and invigorated by what our community has achieved together. This year has been a testament to…
Weekend Warriors Reap Benefits
New research shows benefits of one or two days a week of concentrated physical activity. Weekend warriors rejoice. Formerly, experts viewed weekend only training as less valuable than consistent exercise…
Exercise and Healthy Belly Fat
Long-time exercisers have healthier belly fat than new exercisers, in new study. Exercise benefits people even when they gain extra weight. Researchers from the University of Michigan wanted to evaluate…
How Exercise Reduces Depression
Physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, is known to reduce depressive symptoms, but how is not understood. Researchers from University College London reviewed multiple studies on depression, exercise, motivation, dopamine transmission,…
Exercise and Diet Can Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
More good news promotes the value of exercise. A recent 3-year-long study by University of Eastern Finland researchers focused specifically on men with a high genetic risk of type 2…
High Intensity Training and Appetite Suppression
Vigorous exercise suppresses hunger more than moderate exercise for healthy adult men and women, according to a small study described in Journal of the Endocrine Society (2024). Among a group…
Pre-Natal Exercise May Protect a Child Against Asthma
New research provides even more reasons to motivate mothers to exercise during pregnancy. For the first time, scientists show a link between maternal exercise and nearly half the likelihood of…
Children’s Fitness Levels and Teen Brain Fitness and Mental Health
Higher levels of motor and aerobic fitness in childhood are linked with better cognitive performance and mental health in adolescence, as reported in Sports Medicine (2024). Researchers from University of…
People Are Talking About . . .
A study by Australian researchers that found that 60 percent of videos posted by fitness influencers contain content that is either harmful of misleading; … The new Guinness World Record…
November Knowledge: Earn CECs & Advance Your Expertise with IDEA
This month at IDEA Health & Fitness Association, we’re all about YOUR education! Are you in need of CEC credits to renew your certification? Would you like to learn more…
Menopause and Fitness: Expert Guidance from Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Menopause is a significant phase that affects roughly half of the global population. Despite its widespread occurrence, menopause remains a topic often misunderstood and inadequately addressed, especially within the realm…
Physical Fitness and Teen Attention Span
New research shows more fit teens have better attention span and concentration abilities. Teenagers between 15 and 18 years of age with higher overall fitness show better performance on concentration,…
Resistance Training During Pregnancy Benefits the Unborn Child
Review study shows that pre-natal strength training is good for mother and child. Aerobic exercise during pregnancy is often recommended, while strength training benefits are overlooked. A new review study…