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Good physical fitness from childhood to adolescence associated with better mental health

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Good physical fitness from childhood to adolescence associated with better mental health

A recent Finnish study has found that good physical fitness from childhood to adolescence is linked to better mental health in adolescence. These results are significant and timely, as mental health problems are currently a major societal challenge, affecting up to 25%-30% of young people. These findings suggest that improving physical fitness from childhood can help prevent mental health problems.

In a study by the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä and the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland, the physical fitness of 241 adolescents was followed from childhood to adolescence for eight years. The study showed that better cardiorespiratory fitness and improvements in it from childhood to adolescence were associated with fewer stress and depressive symptoms in adolescence.

Additionally, the study found that better motor fitness from childhood to adolescence was associated with better cognitive function and fewer stress and depressive symptoms. However, the association between motor fitness and depressive symptoms was weaker than the one between cardiorespiratory fitness and depressive symptoms. Screen time measured in adolescence partly explained the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and motor fitness with mental health.

These findings advocate for investment in physical fitness early in life as a potential strategy for mitigating mental health and cognitive issues in adolescence.

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The concern about the declining physical fitness in children and adolescents is real. However, the focus has been on physical health.

Our results should encourage policymakers as well as parents and guardians to see the significance of physical fitness more holistically, as poor physical fitness can increase mental health challenges and impair cognitive skills needed for learning.”

Eero Haapala, Senior Lecturer of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä

“The whole of society should support physical fitness development in children and adolescents by increasing physical activity participation at school, during leisure time, and in hobbies,” emphasizes Haapala.

This study is based on longitudinal data from the ongoing Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study conducted at the Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, and led by Professor Timo Lakka. The study followed the physical fitness of 241 individuals for eight years, from childhood to adolescence. Mental health assessments were conducted during adolescence. The study was published in Sports Medicine.

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The PANIC Study is part of the Metabolic Diseases Research Community at the University of Eastern Finland. The research community is dedicated to investigating major cardiometabolic diseases. By leveraging genetics, genomics, translational research, and lifestyle interventions, the community aims to provide robust evidence on disease mechanisms and advance early diagnosis, prevention, and personalized treatment. The research community consists of 20 research groups, spanning basic research to patient care.

Source:

University of Jyväskylä

Journal reference:

Haapala, E. A., et al. (2024) Childhood Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Cognition and Mental Health in Adolescence: The PANIC Study. Sports Medicine. doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02107-z.

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Should You Exercise In The Morning Or Evening? Deepika Padukone’s Trainer Weighs In

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Should You Exercise In The Morning Or Evening? Deepika Padukone’s Trainer Weighs In

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Yasmin Karachiwala, who has trained Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, revealed if one should work out in the morning or evening for best results.

Consistency is more important than workout timing.

Consistency is more important than workout timing.

For anyone trying to stay fit, finding time to exercise often feels like the biggest workout of all. Between work meetings, social plans, and family responsibilities, sticking to a consistent routine can be challenging. And amid all the wellness advice flooding social media, one debate never seems to end – what’s the best time to exercise: morning or evening?

Celebrity fitness trainer Yasmin Karachiwala, who has shaped the physiques of stars like Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Preity Zinta, recently reignited the conversation. She asked her followers a simple but relatable question: “Are you team Morning or team Evening?”

Why Timing Matters Less Than Consistency

According to Yasmin, there’s no universal ‘best’ time to work out. It’s about what fits you. Morning workouts appeal to early risers who enjoy starting their day on an energising note. Exercising first thing can boost mood, metabolism, and mental clarity. But for others, evenings are when their body feels warmer, stronger, and more flexible, making strength or endurance workouts more effective.

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Food timing is another key factor. Some prefer training on an empty stomach, while others need a light pre-workout meal for an energy lift. And then there’s environment – some thrive in the hustle of a busy gym, others focus better in quieter spaces. Yasmin’s take: it’s about listening to your body’s rhythm, not forcing it into someone else’s routine.

The Power Of Showing Up

What truly defines success, Yasmin insists, is consistency. Whether it’s 6 a.m. Pilates or a 7 p.m. spin class, regularity beats perfection. “The best time is whenever you can stay consistent and enjoy it,” she emphasises. Her approach, honed over decades of training Bollywood’s fittest, prioritises longevity over quick fixes. Workouts are tailored not just for aesthetics but for balance by improving posture, flexibility, and mental wellness alongside strength.

Fitness That Fits Your Life

For those still caught between sunrise runs and post-work gym sessions, Yasmin’s advice offers freedom: stop overthinking the clock. What matters most is that your workout feels sustainable and enjoyable.

In a world obsessed with trends, her philosophy cuts through the noise. Fitness isn’t about finding the perfect hour; it’s about showing up, every day, in whatever hour works for you.

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Scientists just debunked a popular exercise myth and the truth might surprise you – Metabolic

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Scientists just debunked a popular exercise myth and the truth might surprise you – Metabolic

You’ve probably heard the claim that too much exercise “uses up” your heartbeats, as if the heart were a battery with a limited charge. New research says the opposite is true. A fit heart actually beats less over time, making each beat more efficient and possibly adding years to your life.

A team from Australia’s Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research found that physically active people use fewer total heartbeats per day than those who are sedentary. Here, we’ll look at what the researchers discovered, how it challenges a long-standing health myth, and what it means for your heart, longevity, and fitness habits.

Exercise myth debunked: the truth about heartbeats

The study, published in JACC: Advances, compared the daily heart activity of trained athletes and inactive adults. The difference was striking. On average, athletes’ hearts beat about 68 times per minute, while non-athletes clocked in around 76. Over 24 hours, that’s roughly 97,920 beats for the active group and 109,440 for the inactive—a savings of more than 11,000 beats a day for fitter individuals.

Professor Andre La Gerche, head of the HEART Laboratory at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, explained that this efficiency is what sets a fit heart apart. “Even though athletes’ hearts work harder during exercise, their lower resting rates more than make up for it”, he said. In other words, your heart doesn’t wear out from regular workouts—it gets stronger and smarter.

Participants with the highest fitness levels had resting heart rates as low as 40 beats per minute, compared to the typical 70–80 bpm seen in most adults. Despite bursts of intense activity, their total daily heartbeats remained lower overall. This finding directly challenges the old “finite heartbeats” theory that exercise depletes the body’s limited energy supply.

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“The fitter you are, the more metabolically efficient your body becomes”, La Gerche said. “Even if you’re training hard for an hour a day, your heart beats more slowly for the other 23 hours”. That lower resting rate is linked with better cardiovascular function, reduced disease risk, and longer lifespan.

The biggest improvement, according to La Gerche, comes from going from unfit to moderately fit. Just a few hours of regular activity a week can make a measurable difference in how efficiently your heart works.

Other exercise myths worth forgetting

Here are a few other common misconceptions that science continues to dismantle:

  • You have to work out hard every day to see results. Rest and recovery are part of training. Muscles repair and strengthen when you give them time to recover.
  • Cardio is all you need for heart health. Strength training, mobility work, and flexibility exercises also support heart function and metabolic health.
  • Morning workouts are always better. The best time to exercise is when you can do it consistently.
  • Sweating means you’re burning more calories. Sweat is about cooling your body, not a measure of fat loss or workout effectiveness.

Exercise doesn’t burn through your heartbeats—it helps you use them wisely. A strong heart beats slower, lasts longer, and keeps you healthier. Fitness is about training your body to use it efficiently.

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Give Back Monday: how RyzAb0ve Fitness is making exercise fun

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Give Back Monday: how RyzAb0ve Fitness is making exercise fun

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — RyzAb0ve Fitness is a Charlotte non-profit, providing inclusive group exercise classes, obstacle challenge events, and social events for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Their programs are designed to build physical strength and friendships at the same time.

They also organize social events and outings like dinners, bowling, and trips to sporting events to help build meaningful connections between our athletes and instructors.

Co-founder and Executive Director, Ryan Bost said they offer classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hive Fitness, as well as other class times.

Athletes and volunteers who want to get involved can visit their website to learn more.

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