Exercise

A groundbreaking new study using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has revealed the most crucial factors that keep people committed to their exercise routines: how much time they spend sitting, their gender, and their education level. Published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports, this research analyzed health data from nearly 12,000 individuals, offering fresh insights into what helps people meet physical activity guidelines—a finding with important implications for Thailand, where sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common.

A new study using artificial intelligence and machine learning identifies the three strongest predictors of sticking with an exercise routine: sedentary time, gender, and education level. Published in Scientific Reports, the research analyzed health data from nearly 12,000 individuals to understand who meets physical activity guidelines. The findings carry meaningful implications for Thailand, where sedentary lifestyles are rising amid urban life.

Regular exercise is essential for preventing chronic diseases. In Thailand, long hours at desks and routine traffic congestion increase the risk of inactivity-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Thai health authorities recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Yet many Thai people struggle to reach these targets, underscoring the need for effective, culturally informed strategies.

A new randomized controlled trial suggests that self-paced, low-to-moderate aquatic exercise can meaningfully improve physical function and mental well-being for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The six-month study, led by a senior researcher from a regional university in Australia, enrolled 32 adults around age 55 and compared a water-based program to usual activities. The findings offer a cautious path forward for exercise recommendations in ME/CFS, a condition long approached with rest due to concerns about post-exertional malaise (PEM).

A growing body of research is challenging the idea that any time is good for a workout. In particular, late-evening and nighttime exercise—especially when vigorous—may affect how well you sleep and influence markers of heart health. As urban Thais increasingly flock to parks and 24-hour gyms in Bangkok and other cities, understanding exercise timing has practical implications for daily well-being.

Many people in Thai cities juggle work, traffic, and social life, often fitting workouts after office hours. Evening strolls near Chiang Mai’s moat and HIIT sessions after work are common sights. A comprehensive 2025 study examined biometric data from more than 14,000 physically active individuals, compiling over four million nights of sleep. It found a clear dose-response: later and more intense evening workouts tended to delay sleep onset, shorten total sleep time, reduce sleep quality, raise nighttime resting heart rate, and lower heart rate variability. The effect persisted even among those who were physically fit, particularly when exercise ended within four hours of bedtime, according to research summarized by major outlets and peer-reviewed studies.

A new wave of scientific studies is challenging the popular belief that exercise at any time can boost well-being, highlighting a crucial factor for night-owl fitness enthusiasts: the clock. Recent research reported by Fortune see the article and corroborated by peer-reviewed studies has found that evening and nighttime workouts—especially when intense—may not only disrupt your sleep quality but also influence key markers of cardiovascular health. As health-conscious Thais flock to recreational parks and 24-hour fitness centers across Bangkok and major cities, the emerging science on exercise timing carries practical significance for millions striving for both physical and mental well-being.

In a bold and refreshingly candid critique of conventional gym wisdom, exercise scientist Dr Mike Israetel has shared his thoughts on common workout moves many Thais might be relying on, warning that five popular exercises simply don’t deliver the results people expect. Speaking to Men’s Health UK, Dr Israetel emphasises that while no exercise is inherently “stupid,” some are much less effective than others—an important revelation for Thai fitness enthusiasts eager to maximise their time at the gym or during home workouts (source).

Thai lifestyles are busier than ever, from long work hours to family duties and daily commutes in Bangkok. A new analysis by exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel suggests you don’t need hours in the gym to gain real strength and muscle. The key is smart exercise selection—choosing movements that deliver the most results in less time. This has clear relevance for Thais seeking effective ways to stay fit amid packed days. Data from mainstream coverage of Israetel’s findings highlights the growing demand for efficient workouts in Thai communities.

With the modern Thai lifestyle busier than ever—balancing work, family, and travel through the endless Bangkok traffic—finding time to exercise can feel impossible. However, a recent analysis by exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel, shared widely via social media and news outlets, offers hope: you don’t need hours in the gym to see dramatic gains in strength and muscle size. According to Dr. Israetel, the secret lies not in gym duration but in “smart exercise selection”—specifically, choosing movements that provide maximum effect in minimum time. This development is especially relevant to Thais seeking efficient and effective paths toward better health amidst packed daily schedules (Yahoo Lifestyle, 2025).

If you often feel like your intense workouts at the gym seem to last forever, you are not alone—and science may finally have an explanation. According to a new study published in the journal Brain and Behaviour and reported by The Guardian, pushing yourself hard during exercise can cause a “time warp” effect that makes your workout feel subjectively longer than it actually is. This finding could have important implications for anyone hoping to improve their fitness—or simply survive a particularly sweaty spin class—with researchers suggesting that our perception of time may be heavily influenced by the discomfort and effort of the activity itself (The Guardian).

Thai readers searching for new hope in the battle against recurrent low back pain may be encouraged by a recent international study validating the Canali Postural Method (CPM), a personalized exercise technique backed by solid science. A collaborative team from Italy’s National Research Council and Temple University in the US published their findings in the respected journal Healthcare, demonstrating that CPM offers significantly greater pain relief and functional recovery than conventional exercise programs for people with non-specific low back pain—a condition that remains a leading cause of disability both globally and in Thailand.

A new international study validates the Canali Postural Method (CPM), a personalized exercise approach that could change how Thai readers manage recurrent low back pain. Researchers from Italy’s National Research Council and Temple University in the United States published their findings in Healthcare, showing CPM provides greater pain relief and functional recovery than conventional exercise for non-specific low back pain.

Global data show nearly 700 million people suffer from low back pain at any moment, imposing costs on productivity and health systems. In Thailand, back pain is common among office workers, motorbike drivers, farmers, and the elderly—reflecting the country’s evolving, physically demanding lifestyle. Most cases are non-specific, meaning there is no identifiable structural cause. This makes sustained improvement a persistent challenge, a reality readers in Thai clinics know well.

A new wave of research challenges long-held beliefs about stress, revealing that not all stress is harmful and that the impact of stress—and how we should respond—depends on far more than we once imagined. As Thais increasingly grapple with work, family, and digital pressures, the latest scientific insights offer fresh hope—and practical strategies—for managing daily life (The Guardian).

Stress has long been cast as the villain in our health narratives, blamed for physical ills, emotional burnout, and even social collapse. Yet emerging evidence shows the story is far more nuanced, with researchers revealing that not only is some stress “good”—it’s necessary for human growth and resilience. For Thai readers bombarded by news of a ‘stress epidemic’, this signals a needed shift in public understanding and policy.

A recent breakthrough study suggests that low- to moderate-intensity aquatic exercise can significantly improve both physical and psychosocial well-being in people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), bringing new hope for a condition often marked by persistent fatigue and limited treatment options. Published on April 17, 2025, and led by Dr. Suzanne Broadbent, Associate Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) challenges the longstanding caution against physical activity for ME/CFS patients—a group that also includes a high proportion of those battling fibromyalgia symptoms.

New research is challenging the idea that all stress is harmful. For Thais juggling work, family, and digital demands, these insights offer both clarity and practical strategies to navigate daily life.

Across workplaces and homes, stress has long been blamed for health problems and burnout. Fresh findings reveal a more nuanced picture: some stress can actually support growth and resilience. This shifts public conversations in Thailand toward balanced approaches to stress management.

A new survey reported by The Japan Times shows a worrying drop in regular physical activity among Japanese adults. The trend has health experts and policymakers considering the potential long-term consequences for public well-being. While the study focuses on Japan, it resonates with evolving lifestyles across Thailand, where sedentary behavior and noncommunicable diseases are also on the rise.

The early-2025 survey points to fewer households maintaining daily exercise routines. Contributing factors include demanding work schedules, lingering effects of the COVID-19 era, crowded cities, and greater engagement with digital devices. Thailand faces similar patterns, with rising obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risks prompting renewed attention from health authorities. Data from a leading national newspaper highlights these parallels.

A leading exercise scientist challenges conventional gym wisdom, urging Thai readers to rethink five common moves that may not deliver the best results. In a candid interview with Men’s Health UK, Dr. Mike Israetel explains that while no exercise is stupid, some are far less productive than others. This perspective is especially relevant for busy Thais who want to maximize every workout, whether at the gym or at home.

Thailand’s urban lifestyle has spurred a growing interest in health and wellness. In Bangkok and other cities, gym memberships and at-home programs are rising, often shaped by Western fitness trends seen on social media. Dr. Israetel’s views invite Thai fitness enthusiasts to evaluate whether their routines yield optimal gains and to consider smarter alternatives.

A recent survey published by The Japan Times has revealed a concerning trend: Japanese people are exercising less than before, sparking discussions amongst health experts and policymakers about the potential long-term impacts on public health. This news puts the spotlight not only on Japan’s changing lifestyle patterns but also raises relevant questions for Thai society, where sedentary habits and non-communicable diseases are likewise on the rise.

According to the report, the survey—conducted in early 2025—highlights a decline in regular physical activity among the Japanese population, with a significant proportion indicating a reduction in daily exercise routines compared to previous years. The data suggests that busy work schedules, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, urban living constraints, and increased engagement with digital media contribute to this drop in physical activity. These findings are particularly significant for Thailand, where similar lifestyle shifts are being observed, and where the burden of lifestyle-related health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease continues to grow (Japan Times).

A new study in Brain and Behaviour reveals a neural and experiential reason why intense workouts can drag on. Researchers found that during demanding exercise, people tend to overestimate elapsed time by about 10 percent. The effect, described as a “time warp,” is linked to the heightened focus on bodily signals like pain and fatigue. This insight has implications for both personal training and how fitness programs are designed to keep people engaged.

A growing body of international research suggests that weight training, or resistance training, can meaningfully slow cognitive decline in older adults and may even help reverse some effects. This finding shines a light for Thailand’s aging population, where the number of seniors is projected to rise sharply in coming decades. By offering practical, drug-free strategies to protect brain health, the approach aligns with Thai values of family care and active aging.

A new wave of international research is offering hope for Thailand’s rapidly aging population—weight training, commonly known as resistance or strength training, may meaningfully slow and even help reverse cognitive decline in older adults, according to a study highlighted by Medical News Today in April 2025 source. In a country where the number of elderly is projected to surpass 20 million by 2050, these findings shine a light on accessible, drug-free strategies to protect brain health and independence across Thai society.