Can physical activity counteract mortality risk if you sit during most of your waking hours?

We have known for decades that regular physical activity decreases mortality risk. Up until recently, it has not been entirely clear whether doing enough physical activity can decrease some of the mortality risk that is associated with high levels of daily sitting time....

Read More

Does Fitness Level in Midlife Translate to Developing Chronic Conditions in Later Life? The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

As the median age of the U.S. population continues to increase, there has been a growing emphasis on the concept of healthy aging. An important component of healthy aging is maintaining a moderate to high level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The Cooper Institute has reported on midlife CRF in 18,670 adults who were tested during a Cooper Clinic examination, and how their CRF impacted the risk of developing 8 chronic conditions later in life....

Read More

Do you Need Water or a Sports Drink during Physical Activity?

Everyone knows how important it is to stay hydrated during physical activity. So, which is better to use during activity, plain water or a sports drink? The answer depends on the situation. Read on to learn more!...

Read More

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....

Read More

Can a Stroke Be Prevented?

Stroke, which is also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is a form of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries of the brain. A stroke occurs when an artery bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by plaque and blood clots (ischemic stroke), or when an artery in the brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Read on to learn what you can do to prevent stroke!...

Read More

Cancer: A Frequently Preventable Cause of Illness and Death?

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among U.S. men and women, accounting for approximately 600,000 deaths each year as well as ~$160 billion in annual health care costs....

Read More

The Alkaline Diet: Help or Hype?

The First Amendment guarantees the right of free speech. Thus, anyone can write a diet book and make whatever claims that they wish to make. A prime example is ‘The Alkaline Diet’ which is promoted by celebrities, athletes, and others who may not have an understanding of basic chemistry or physiology. Read on to learn more!...

Read More

Most Effective Type of Exercise for Obese Older Adults who are Dieting

March is National Nutrition Month! It’s a well-known fact that rates of obesity are at an all-time high and that exercise is a necessary component for long-term weight control. However, for older obese adults, less is known about the types of exercise that they should perform. In this blog, we examine the individual as well as the combined effects of aerobic training and resistance training, as well as a weight management program in the older obese population....

Read More

Does fitness further reduce the risk of heart disease deaths among individuals who are already at low risk?

Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for over a century, the causes of CVD were completely unknown until the early 1960s. In fact, heart attack and stroke were thought by many to be a natural consequence of the aging process!...

Read More

Impact of Resistance Training on Blood Pressure

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects more than one-third of the U.S. adult population, and is an important risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. While countless studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise can help to lower resting blood pressure among hypertensives, less is known about the efficacy of resistance training in this regard. Read on to learn more!...

Read More

2020 Research Review by The Cooper Institute 

Last year was a very productive time for research at The Cooper Institute. Our team worked hard in 2020 to discover more about the many health benefits of regular physical activity, as well as the benefits of obtaining at least a moderate level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Most of our research stems from the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study (CCLS), the largest and longest-running health study of its kind in the world with an objective measure of CRF....

Read More

Rating the Diets: U.S. News and World Report Annual Rankings

70% of American adults are either overweight or obese. This provides a rich and fertile environment for a seemingly endless number of popular diets. While some of these diets are questionable at best, there are some that are safe, nutritious, heart-healthy, and effective for weight loss. Read on to learn more!...

Read More