Wellness
Are Fish Oils Beneficial for Brain Health during Pregnancy and Post-Partum?
Fish oils are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid found in moderate to high concentrations in fatty fish, as well as in other foods.
Mindset, Commitment and Living Intentionally
In a world that profits from chronic disease, taking care of your body is a rebellious
Do Cardio Fitness Level and Body Mass Index During the Teenage Years Predict Disability in Men Later in Life?
Do fitness and body weight status during the teenage years have any association with the risk of disability later in life? To help answer this question, researchers published results on over one million Swedish male adolescents between the ages of 16 and 19, who were drafted into the military between 1972 and 1994.
Is Midlife Cardiorespiratory Fitness Level a Predictor of Chronic Kidney Disease?
In recent years, it has been shown that regular moderate levels of physical activity are beneficial to kidney health. Here we note that physical activity and CRF are not the same. While there is some correlation between the two, the relationship is only moderate. Physical activity is typically assessed via questionnaire, while CRF as noted previously, can be objectively measured. With that in mind, Cooper Institute researchers sought to determine if there is a relationship between CRF at midlife and the risk of developing CKD later in life.
Does Being Fit Help Reduce Risk of Death in Women With Metabolic Syndrome?
In the past, we have published a couple of blogs on the topic of metabolic syndrome
Is Cardiorespiratory Fitness Level Linked to Heart Failure and Heart Attack Hospitalization?
Several studies have shown convincingly that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with decreased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. However, less is known regarding CRF and non-fatal cardiovascular disease events.
Rhabdomyolysis Makes the News in Texas Once Again!
It would be difficult to find a sane and rational person who disagreed with the statement that regular exercise is good for you, and that more is better within reasonable limits. For the beginner exerciser however, or for those who are unaccustomed to certain exercises, the question of ‘how much is too much?’ becomes extremely important.
New Update to Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
A lot has changed in health research in 10 years, and the latest report shows just how much. On Nov. 12, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAGA), 2nd Edition. The report is an update of the 1st Edition of the Guidelines which was published in 2008. Dr. William Haskell, a researcher for The Cooper Institute and professor emeritus at Stanford University, served on the scientific advisory committee for the report and helped shape the new guidelines.
How Do the Number of Abnormal Inflammatory Biomarkers Affect Your Risk of Coronary Heart Disease?
As you may be aware, chronic inflammation a hot topic in the health research field, and is associated with a number of adverse health outcomes including coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is best thought of as a condition where one or more coronary arteries have significant blockages present; this in turn often leads to heart attack.
Do statin drugs increase your risk of developing diabetes?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in developed countries. Statin drugs are commonly used to decrease blood levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and have been clearly shown to significantly decrease the risk of cardiovascular morbidity (illness) and mortality (death). Currently, about 35 million American adults are on statin therapy.
How Do Fitness Level and Body Weight Status Predict the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes in Women?
Over the past 40 years, there has been a sharp increase in the worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes in women. While some of the increase is likely due to the increased prevalence of obesity in recent decades, an additional important risk factor for type 2 diabetes is physical inactivity.
10,000 steps a day: does one goal fit all?
Wearable devices such as smartphones measure a number of variables including the number of steps taken per day. Over the past several years, it has been ingrained in our culture that the goal for people whose primary activity consists of walking is 10,000 steps per day.
Are Blood Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Related to an Increased Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men, with annual mortality of approximately 32,000. Nearly 175,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. per year. Read how fatty fish can benefit your cardiovascular health.
Help! What Exercise Should I Do First?
"Whew, I made it here. Now with all of these choices, what should I do first?" It almost sounds like you could be at Disneyland or Six Flags but I am actually talking about the thoughts that often go through my head when I walk in the gym to do resistance training. Do you ever feel this way too? By going to the gym, you are on track to meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans which recommend performing at least 2 days of resistance training per week consisting of 8-10 exercises using 8-12 repetitions. Now you just need to decide with which exercise to start.
Fuel use during exercise: myths and misconceptions
In order for the human body to function, it needs to be continuously supplied with fuel for energy. Most of this energy comes from the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats within the cells. There are several common myths and misconceptions regarding the use of these two fuels relative to exercise and energy. Let’s address some of these myths...
Framingham Heart Study shows that HDL Cholesterol Levels should not be interpreted in a vacuum!
For nearly four decades, HDL cholesterol has been known as the ‘good cholesterol.’ Over the past few years, researchers have been trying to determine whether or not HDL by itself is protective against heart disease, or if it’s just the fact that high HDL levels are often seen individuals who are physically fit and/or do not have many risk factors for heart disease. Read on to learn more!
Is your weekend sabotaging your weight loss efforts?
Do you find yourself exercising on a consistent basis and working really hard to watch the calories you are eating but aren’t losing the weight you think you should? Well look to your weekend habits and you may have the answer. Many people do really “great” (their words) during the week but then find themselves overindulging on the weekends. Could this really be enough to sabotage your weight loss efforts?
The Truth About the Keto Diet
Here we go again… The internet is buzzing about the latest dietary fad, the Ketogenic Diet. Unlike other diet plans, the Ketogenic (or keto) Diet isn’t actually new. This low-carbohydrate diet is similar to the Atkins Diet of the 1970s and the South Beach Diet of the late 1990s. Same diet, different name.
Do you need water or a sports drink during physical activity?
The human body is approximately 60% water by weight. Water is the nutrient that is most often neglected by those who are highly physically active. Research has shown time and time again that as little as a 2% loss of body weight through sweating can have a significant effect on athletic performance.
Legendary “Father of Aerobics” Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper Turned 90
Fitness pioneer and “father of aerobics” Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, celebrated his 90th birthday on Thursday, March 4, 2021. In honor of Dr. Cooper, who has inspired millions to exercise for good health, we challenged America and the world to commit to living healthier.
Fitness Norms and Fitness Standards are Apples and Oranges
As you may know, The Cooper Institute has taught hundreds of law enforcement workshops across the country over the past four decades. My colleagues and I find that many of our law enforcement friends use the terms ‘fitness norms’ and ‘fitness standards’ interchangeably.
50 Years of the Cooper 12-Minute Run
For those of us who are physically active and even just a little bit competitive, we tend to be curious about our level of cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness and how we compare to our peers.
African Americans At Greatest Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency
An estimated 40% of American adults may be vitamin D deficient. For African-Americans, that number may be nearly double at 76% according to a new study by The Cooper Institute.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness, the Triglyceride: HDL Ratio and Coronary Heart Disease Mortality Risk in Men
A while back, we talked about the importance of the blood Triglyceride: HDL ratio. To refresh your memory, we calculate the ratio simply by dividing the fasting blood triglyceride level by the blood level of HDL cholesterol.
Contraindicated Exercises
Contraindicated exercises are those that carry higher risks to joint structure, soft tissue, or other risks.
Using MET-Minutes to Track Volume of Physical Activity
They say that variety is the spice of life. Many people who exercise incorporate cross-training over the course of their weekly workout. Simply put, cross-training means doing different activities on different days.
Does pickle juice relieve muscle cramps?
Muscle cramps during exercise are a frustrating challenge for many athletes, with 80% of triathletes and 50% of football players experiencing cramps during competition or training.
Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
These resources were created by the Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders,
Can Sitting in a Sauna Decrease Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes all diseases of the heart and circulatory system,
American Heart Association Announces Life’s Essential 8
Unhealthy behaviors are a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Does Being a “Weekend Warrior” Exerciser Help to Reduce Mortality Risk?
While most health and fitness enthusiasts are quite familiar with the most recent Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
Is Physical Activity Related to Adverse COVID-19 Outcomes?
During the COVID-19 virus pandemic, researchers have found a number of risk factors for increased COVID severity.
What is Prediabetes and Why is it Important?
If you are a Cooper Institute follower, then you are probably aware that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in all developed countries.
Tips for a healthier Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! That day of extreme gluttony and couch cruising that kicks off a season of calorie imbalance.
November is National Diabetes Month! Do You Know Your Hemoglobin A1C Number?
A normal fasting blood glucose level is between 70-99 mg/dL. Individuals with fasting glucose levels between 100-125 mg/dL on two separate occasions have prediabetes,
