Fitness

AI Reveals What Keeps People Committed to Exercise – Neuroscience News

Published

7 months ago

April 18, 2025

AI Reveals What Keeps People Committed to Exercise – Neuroscience News

Summary: A new study has used machine learning to identify the key predictors of physical activity adherence, analyzing data from nearly 12,000 individuals. The research found that time spent sitting, gender, and education level were the strongest indicators of whether someone met weekly exercise guidelines.

By training models on lifestyle, demographic, and health survey data, researchers could predict exercise habits more flexibly than traditional approaches. These insights could inform more effective fitness recommendations and public health strategies tailored to individual needs.

Key Facts:

Top Predictors: Sedentary time, gender, and education level were the most consistent predictors of exercise adherence.
Study Scope: Researchers used machine learning on data from 11,683 participants in a national health survey.
Potential Impact: Findings could improve personalized workout plans and inform health policy.

Source: University of Mississippi

Sticking to an exercise routine is a challenge many people face. But a University of Mississippi research team is using machine learning to uncover what keeps individuals committed to their workouts.

The team – Seungbak Lee and Ju-Pil Choe, both doctoral students in physical education, and Minsoo Kang, professor of sport analytics in the Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management – hopes to predict whether a person is meeting physical activity guidelines based on their body measurements, demographics and lifestyle.

Machine learning doesn’t have those limits, so it can find patterns with greater flexibility. Credit: Neuroscience News

They have examined data from about 30,000 surveys. To quickly sort through such a huge data set, they’ve turned to machine learning, a way of using computers to identify patterns and make predictions based on the information.

The group’s results, published in the Nature Portfolio journal Scientific Reports are timely, Kang said

“Physical activity adherence to the guidelines is a public health concern because of its relationship to disease prevention and overall health patterns,” he said.

“We wanted to use advanced data analytic techniques, like machine learning, to predict this behavior.”

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, suggests that adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, each week as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Research shows that the average American spends just two hours per week on physical activity – half of the four hours recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lee, Choe and Kang used public data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a government-sponsored survey, covering 2009-18.

“We aimed to use machine learning to predict whether people follow physical activity guidelines based on questionnaire data, and find the best combination of variables for accurate predictions,” said Choe, the study’s lead author.

“Demographic variables such as gender, age, race, educational status, marital status and income, along with anthropometric measures like BMI and waist circumference, were considered.”

The researchers also considered lifestyle factors including alcohol consumption, smoking, employment, sleep patterns and sedentary behavior to understand their impact on a person’s physical activity, he said.

The results showed that three key factors – how much time someone spends sitting, their gender, and their education level – showed up consistently in all the top-performing models that predict exercise habits, even though each model identified different variables as important.

According to Choe, these factors are especially important for understanding who is more likely to stay active and socially connected, and they could help guide future health recommendations.

“I expected that factors like gender, BMI, race or age would be important for our prediction model, but I was surprised by how significant educational status was,” he said. “While factors like gender, BMI and age are more innate to the body, educational status is an external factor.”

During the analysis, the researchers excluded data from people with certain diseases and responses missing physical activity data. That culled the relevant data to 11,683 participants.

The researchers say machine learning gives them more freedom to study the data. Older methods expect things to follow a straight-line pattern, and they don’t work well when some pieces of information are too similar.

Machine learning doesn’t have those limits, so it can find patterns with greater flexibility.

“One limitation of our study was using subjectively measured physical activity data, where participants recalled their activity from memory,” Choe said.

“People tend to overestimate their physical activity when using questionnaires, so more accurate, objective data would improve the study’s reliability.”

Because of this, the researchers say they could use a similar method for future research in this area, but explore different factors, including dietary supplements use, using more machine learning algorithms or relying on objective data instead of self-reported information.

That could help trainers and fitness consultants produce workout regimens that people can actually stick with for the long haul.

About this AI and exercise research news

Author: Clara Turnage
Source: University of Mississippi
Contact: Clara Turnage – University of Mississippi
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.
“Machine learning modeling for predicting adherence to physical activity guideline” by Seungbak Lee et al. Scientific Reports

Abstract

Machine learning modeling for predicting adherence to physical activity guideline

This study aims to create predictive models for PA guidelines by using ML and examine the critical determinants influencing adherence to the PA guidelines. 11,638 entries from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed.

Variables were categorized into demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle categories. 18 prediction models were created by 6 ML algorithms and evaluated via accuracy, F1 score, and area under the curve (AUC).

Additionally, we employed permutation feature importance (PFI) to assess the variable significance in each model.

The decision tree using all variables emerged as the most effective method in the prediction for PA guidelines (accuracy = 0.705, F1 score = 0.819, and AUC = 0.542).

Based on the PFI, sedentary behavior, age, gender, and educational status were the most important variables.

These results highlight the possibilities of using data-driven methods with ML in PA research.

Our analysis also identified crucial variables, providing valuable insights for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing individuals’ adherence to PA guidelines.

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Fitness

Multi-Home Gym Equipment Exercise Package Available for Sale from Strongway Gym Supplies

Published

11 hours ago

November 13, 2025

Press Room

Multi-Home Gym Equipment Exercise Package Available for Sale from Strongway Gym Supplies

Coventry, UK – November 10, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

Strongway Gym Supplies has announced the availability of its new multi-home gym exercise packages, developed to provide users across the United Kingdom with complete training solutions for home fitness. The company stated that the new range brings together a selection of strength and conditioning equipment designed to accommodate both compact living spaces and larger dedicated setups. This update aligns with the growing demand for integrated systems that offer a balance between versatility, durability, and convenience.

According to Strongway, the newly available packages have been designed following feedback from customers who sought to combine the functionality of a full gym with the practicality of home use. Each setup is assembled from the company’s existing strength and cardio equipment, providing customers with a cohesive set of tools for developing endurance, flexibility, and muscle conditioning. Further information about Strongway’s home fitness range is available at: https://strongway.co.uk/collections/home-fitness.

Strongway confirmed that the packages include adjustable benches, multi-gyms, free weights, and supporting accessories that can be adapted to suit different exercise routines. The company said its approach has been to ensure that every product within a package integrates effectively with the others, helping users create efficient and space-conscious workout environments. The introduction of these bundles, the firm added, represents a shift towards more comprehensive and accessible fitness solutions for those seeking long-term training systems that do not compromise on quality.

Co-Director Mandip Walia commented that this announcement reflects Strongway’s commitment to expanding its offering for home users while maintaining the build standards of commercial equipment. “We’ve focused on bringing together our most popular products into packages that make sense for different training styles,” he said. “The goal has been to offer flexibility without sacrificing reliability or design integrity. People want their home gyms to perform like professional setups, and that’s the standard we continue to aim for.”

The company added that these multi-gym packages were developed with modularity in mind, allowing users to build and expand their systems over time. This approach, Strongway explained, ensures that customers can adjust their training setups as their routines evolve, reducing the need for complete replacements or costly upgrades.

By offering equipment combinations that support strength, mobility, and conditioning exercises, Strongway intends to make high-quality fitness tools more accessible to a broader audience.

The announcement also coincides with the company’s ongoing production review, which focuses on maintaining precision engineering across its equipment range. Strongway has also confirmed that it is in a continuous process of expanding its product range to support growing nationwide demand for its home gym products. More details about its bundled package deals can be found at: https://strongway.co.uk/collections/ultimate-package-deals.

Co-Director Randeep Walia added that customer input has played a significant role in shaping Strongway’s recent developments. “We’ve seen a real shift in how people approach fitness at home,” he said. “Many customers now want something that can last for years, with the option to add new equipment as they progress. These packages are designed with that in mind — adaptable, practical, and consistent in quality.”

The broader home fitness market in the UK continues to expand, driven by increased interest in personal wellness and convenience-based exercise options. Strongway’s latest product release reflects this trend, providing an adaptable framework for users who wish to establish their own home training environments. The company noted that it remains focused on balancing durability with usability, ensuring that equipment remains suitable for a variety of fitness levels.

Strongway’s latest announcement follows a series of updates to its home and commercial product lines, as the company continues to strengthen its reputation for manufacturing reliable gym systems with consistent build quality.

Strongway Gym Supplies confirmed that the new home gym packages are now available for order through its official website, with delivery options available across the United Kingdom. The company emphasised that customers can expect the same quality assurance applied across all product categories, from individual weights and bars to complete multi-station setups. Those seeking additional details about the company and its current range of fitness solutions can find more information at: https://strongway.co.uk/.

The company concluded that the release marks another step in its broader mission to make dependable, high-quality exercise systems more accessible to users at every stage of their fitness journey. By combining professional engineering standards with thoughtful design, Strongway aims to support the continued growth of home-based training environments across the country.

Readers interested in ordering home fitness products or package deals online can do so by visiting the collection links provided above.

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For more information about Strongway Gym Supplies, contact the company here:

Strongway Gym Supplies
Mandip Walia
+44-800-001-6093
sales@strongway.co.uk
Strongway Gym Supplies, 26 The Pavilion, Coventry CV3 1QP, United Kingdom

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Fitness

Dubai November Challenge: From sports events to exercise hubs, take your fitness to next level

Published

1 day ago

November 12, 2025

Press Room

If you are a sports and fitness enthusiast, then November is a month you should spend in Dubai. As the weather cools down in the desert city, it is time to embrace the inner fitness freak in you and have a great time in the emirate.

Sports events

DP World Tour Championships will be held from November 13 to 16 while PTO Dubai T100 Triathlon will be conducted from November 14 to 16.

There are three events scheduled for November 14 – Dubai Open for Gymnastics Academies will be held at 7 am while Baseball United Season One and World Natural Games will kick off at 9 am.

Five events are slated for November 15. Public Prosecution Run will kick off at 5.30 am. Arabian Warrior, an obstacle course race (OCR) event at Dubai Festival City, and the Music Run, a vibrant 5km fun run, will both begin at 7 am. Chase the Wind Rollerskating and Aura Skypool Tri in the Sky will also be held on the same day.

November 16 will witness five sports events. Runway Run, a one-of-a-kind 5K adventure on the runway of the Dubai Airshow, will kick off at 5am. ICD Brookefield Place Vertical Run, where participants climb either 30 or 54 floors of the ICD Brookfield Place tower in Dubai, will begin at 6am.

The seventh edition of Plus500 City Half Marathon Dubai, will start at 6 am at DIFC. Emirates NBD Unity Run, which also kicks off at 6 am, is open to children and adults of all abilities and ages. Wewalk and Weride, the TECOM Group’s flagship walkathon, is scheduled for 7 am.

DSG Archery Championship will be held on November 18 at 7 am while Meydan Night Run is slated for November 19 at 7.30 am and Dassa X-Country Runs will take place on November 20 at 3 pm.

November 21 will see three events, including Dubai College Rugby and Netball Sevens as well as Turf Games, both scheduled at 8 am, and AHPEC Showjumping at 5 pm.

There will be three events on November 22 as well. Bare Knuckle Fight League and Spartans White Collar 12 are scheduled for 6 pm while the Angels Cup, DuGym Rhythmic Gymnastics International Competition will be held at 9 pm.

Dubai Run will kick off at 5 am on November 23, followed by Spinneys 92 Cycle Challenge Build-Up Ride 3 at 6 am.

On November 27, Level Up Sports Tech Innovation Expo will be held at 10am while Emirates Dubai 7s is scheduled for November 28 at 3 am.

November 29 events include Dubai International 22ft Sailing Race – Round 2 at 6 am, Dubai Oriental Dhow Sailing Race Class 60 Progress – Round 2 at 6.30 am and Red Bull Half Court World Finals 2025 at 8am.

Skechers Half Marathon is scheduled to kick off at 5am on November 30. SportsPro Tribe Road Run 10K, 5K, 3K and 1K will also be held the same day from 7 am.

Fitness challenges

From November 10 to 16, you can be part of the week-long fitness hubs at Gymnation Motor City or the Deep Dive Dubai X Wellfit.

There are also month-long events across Dubai, including a fitness hub at JA Hatta Fort Hotel, from November 1 to 28.

Other events include activities to encourage people to exercise for 30 minutes a day for 30 days as part of Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025.

DP World is hosting a 30X30 Fitness Village in Kite Beach while the Dubai Municipality is organising a similar event in Zabeel Park from November 1 to 30.

X-Park Dubai X Wellfit 30X30 Fitness Hub is being held at X-Park, Kite Beach. Bluewaters Fitness Hub is another event being held throughout November.

Other 30-minute-30-day events include D3 Mercedes-Benz 30X30 Fitness Hub, Danube Sports World 30X30 Fitness Hub, Hatta Wadi 30X30 Fitness Hub, Zabeel Ladies Club 30X30 Fitness Hub, Ripe Market 30X30 Fitness Hub, Town Square 30X30 Fitness Hub, Global Village 30X30 Fitness Hub, Beach JBR X Squatwolf 30X30 Fitness Hub, Sevens Stadium 30X30 Fitness Hub, Nad Al Sheba Mall 30X30 Fitness Hub and Wasl Village 30X30 Fitness Hub.

Fitness

Chop your way to higher T: How this power move fires up your hormones

Published

2 days ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

Chop your way to higher T: How this power move fires up your hormones

Chopping wood isn’t a walk in the park, and lumberjacks bulk up those muscles by felling trees, cutting logs, and transporting heavy lumber. Historically, lumberjacks used axes and hand saws, and many modern-day loggers have moved on to chainsaws and power tools. Lately, the wood chop exercise has grown in popularity, and you don’t need an axe, a power tool, a forest, or even a tree. You can use different options, such as a dumbbell, a medicine ball, or the cable handle on the pulley system.

Fire up your obliques

This lumberjack-inspired move resembles the motion of chopping wood. You begin with your arms up overhead before twisting your torso, engaging your transverse abdominis and oblique muscles, and bringing your arms down across your body as if you’re chopping wood.

This simple exercise boosts your functional fitness, engages your whole body, and torches your abs and oblique muscles on the sides of your core. The rotational motion also enhances your core stability, athletic performance, mobility, balance, and more. What about raising testosterone? Researchers have explored just that and found that yes, wood chopping really does raise T levels.

The research: Can wood chopping boost testosterone?

In a study published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, the researchers sought to determine whether wood chopping and sports affect testosterone levels. Does testosterone rise during tasks like tree felling? How do shifts in T levels influence performance?

The study involved 51 men aged between 16 and 80 from the Tsimane indigenous group in the Bolivian Amazon who farmed, hunted, and foraged. The researchers examined how the men’s testosterone levels changed during hard physical work. The researchers collected saliva samples before and after the wood-chopping activity to measure testosterone levels. A different group of men provided resting saliva samples for the study authors to compare. They also compared changes in the T levels during a competitive football game.

The study results

The results revealed the following:

The Tsimane men who spent an hour chopping down trees to clear land for crops experienced a 48.6% increase in testosterone levels, regardless of their health or age.
The rise in T levels was even more significant than when the same men played competitive soccer, which resulted in a 30.1% increase.

The researchers pointed out that testosterone rises not just during competition or sports, but also when these men are performing their everyday physical labor to support their families. These short-term surges in testosterone could help the men work harder, be more productive, and continue on with the physically demanding tasks.

Concluding thoughts

Studies have shown that HIIT and strength training also raise testosterone, so it’s worth hitting the gym. That being said, after seeing this study, while chopping wood might not be for everyone, you might consider adding the wood chop exercise to your workout routine. In this study, both older and younger men experienced these T spikes, showing that these benefits applied regardless of age.