#Exercise

A new study from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital highlights ATPPIF1, a brain gene activated by exercise that may slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients who cannot exercise. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the findings suggest potential drugs or gene therapies that mimic exercise’s brain benefits. The discovery is particularly relevant for Thailand’s aging population.

For years, researchers have shown that physical activity can slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s and related dementias. But many patients, especially those with frailty or advanced disease, cannot exercise. The study addresses this gap by uncovering molecular pathways that exercise influences, pointing to interventions that stimulate these pathways directly in the brain.

A new wave of Hollywood stars is redefining what it means to age gracefully, with familiar faces like Harrison Ford and Jane Fonda displaying remarkable vitality and physical agility well into their seventies and beyond. Recent interviews and expert insights, highlighted in a feature by Hello! Magazine, uncover how a combination of consistent exercise, proper nutrition, and social engagement keep these luminaries fitter than ever, challenging old stereotypes about aging and physical decline (Hello Magazine).

A growing wave of Hollywood stars is reshaping how we view aging. Icons like Harrison Ford and Jane Fonda remain remarkably fit and mobile into their seventies and beyond. A recent feature highlights their routines—consistent exercise, smart nutrition, and social engagement—demonstrating that age is not a barrier to vitality. The story also resonates with Thai readers as Thailand faces a rapidly aging population and shifts toward “active aging” as a health priority.

Aged 80, Rod Stewart remains a force on stage and a model for active ageing. His demanding training program, crafted with his long-time personal trainer, blends strength, mobility, and aquatic work to stay “Glasto-fit.” A recent feature from a major UK publication highlights how this multifaceted routine keeps the star performing at a high level while balancing health and travel demands.

For Thai readers facing an ageing society, Stewart’s discipline offers both a real-world example and practical takeaways. Thailand’s population is ageing rapidly, with projections showing more than 20% aged 60 and above by 2027. This context makes Stewart’s emphasis on varied exercise and regular medical monitoring especially relevant for families navigating elder care and long-term wellness.

At age 80, legendary singer Rod Stewart is not only performing at iconic events like Glastonbury but setting an inspiring standard for fitness in older adults, thanks to a demanding training regimen developed with his longtime personal trainer. The latest feature in The Times details Stewart’s multi-faceted approach to staying “Glasto-fit”, which blends elements of strength, mobility, and aquatic training—an approach capturing attention among health experts and senior wellness advocates worldwide (thetimes.com).

A growing body of research and a wave of expert advice are challenging the idea that faster is always better when it comes to running and improving cardiovascular fitness. Instead, running at an easier, slower pace—known as zone 2 training—may provide greater benefits for both the heart and overall endurance. The experience of a recent experimenter, as detailed in a Fit&Well article, shows that slowing down could be the key to safer, more lasting improvements in fitness, offering fresh insights for Thai runners at every level (Fit&Well).

Open-ocean swimming has surged in popularity worldwide, and Thai beach communities are embracing the trend as a dynamic form of exercise and mental wellness. While the sea offers a powerful workout and a deep sense of connection to nature, experts warn that open-water swimming comes with real risks that require preparation and caution.

Globally, ocean swimming is praised for its layered health benefits. A growing body of journalism highlights how sea swimming can reduce stress, boost mood, and improve fitness. Research from reputable institutions notes that the calm, expansive ocean can produce mind-calming effects similar to forest bathing—a practice from Japan focused on immersing the senses in nature. For Thai readers along the Andaman and Gulf coasts, these findings resonate with local traditions that emphasize harmony with the sea as part of daily life and spiritual practice.

As Thailand’s beach season draws crowds to the sea, open-ocean swimming is making waves as one of the world’s most invigorating health trends. Not only does a swim in the blue offer a dynamic workout for body and mind, but new research and expert commentary reveal its benefits extend far beyond ordinary exercise—even as real risks lurk beneath the surface. For Thais, whose nation is surrounded by world-renowned coastlines, the findings shed light on both opportunities and precautions for embracing this growing phenomenon.

A new wave of research suggests slower, steady running—known as zone 2 training—may be more beneficial for heart health and endurance than relentless speed work. A recent personal experiment highlighted in a Fit&Well piece shows that easing off the pace can lead to safer, lasting fitness gains. For Thai runners, from park circuits to city marathons, this approach offers a practical path to healthier hearts.

The public conversation around running is shifting. Instead of equating faster with better, experts now emphasize easy runs at a comfortable pace as the foundation for cardiovascular improvements. In Thailand, where many people lace up for health and community—often with limited coaching—zone 2 training could provide a straightforward framework to build fitness safely and sustainably.

Regular brisk walking can meaningfully improve cholesterol profiles and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Recent health reporting highlights that daily moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, can raise beneficial HDL cholesterol while lowering harmful LDL cholesterol. This is especially relevant for Thailand, where non-communicable diseases tied to high cholesterol remain a major public health concern.

Walking’s accessibility stands out. It requires no special equipment or expensive programs, making it a practical option for most Thais amid busy urban lives. In cities like Bangkok, where sedentary behavior is common, incorporating frequent walks can deliver low-cost, preventive health benefits. Data from global health sources show that high cholesterol is a well-documented risk factor for cardiovascular events, which are leading causes of death in Thailand and worldwide.

A growing body of scientific research confirms what many health experts have long advocated: walking regularly, especially at a brisk pace, can play a meaningful role in improving cholesterol profiles and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. According to a 2022 study highlighted in recent health reporting, daily moderate-intensity exercise such as brisk walking can significantly increase beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol while helping to decrease harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This has important implications for adults in Thailand, where non-communicable diseases, including heart conditions linked to high cholesterol, remain a major public health concern.

New research and recent analyses highlight a simple, powerful strategy for strengthening parent-teen relationships: exercising together. For Thai families juggling digital distractions, busy schedules, and shifting roles, a family jog, bike ride, or gym session may be as important for emotional closeness as for physical health.

A 2025 analysis in the Journal of Human Biology spans decades of data and shows that physically active teens also report stronger emotional connections with their families. The study frames exercise as social glue, not just a health habit. In Thailand, where family cohesion is highly valued, shared activity offers a practical, non-confrontational way to foster communication. A walk in a city park or a rural bike ride can become meaningful moments for dialogue and trust.

Recent research and a new analysis highlighted by The Wall Street Journal have brought fresh attention to a simple yet powerful method for deepening parent-teen relationships: exercising together. With Thai families navigating modern challenges—including digital distractions, increasingly busy schedules, and generational divides—this growing body of evidence signals that a family jog, bike ride, or trip to the gym may be as essential for emotional closeness as for physical health (WSJ, MSN).

When a young Toronto photographer committed to daily yoga at the start of the pandemic, it was the first step in a profound personal transformation — not only of her body, but her attitude toward health, fitness, and food. Her five-year journey, recently profiled in Business Insider, reflects experiences increasingly echoed by research and expert opinion: embracing a movement routine that sparks joy can fundamentally reshape mind and body, leading to sustainable, holistic well-being. The story holds timely lessons for readers in Thailand, a country where yoga’s popularity continues to rise and where many seek balance between modern health ideals and traditional values.

A Toronto photographer’s five-year daily yoga commitment during the pandemic illustrates a broader truth: a movement routine built on joy can reshape body, mind, and everyday habits. This story, reflected in recent health journalism, resonates with Thai readers as yoga grows popular from Bangkok gyms to community parks and online platforms. It suggests lasting well-being comes from consistent, enjoyable movement rather than intense bursts of effort.

What started as a 20-minute online session during lockdown blossomed into a daily practice. Over five years, the photographer gained strength, learned to perform feats like her first pull-up, and developed a healthier relationship with food and body image. The key takeaway is not appearance but mastery of poses, ease, and body awareness. For Thai audiences, this aligns with a growing interest in mindful fitness that fits busy urban lifestyles and traditional values.

A new wave of scientific research suggests that short bursts of resistance exercise—dubbed “hypertrophy snacks”—can effectively increase muscle strength and size, offering a time-efficient solution for Thais facing busy lifestyles and long hours of sitting. Published recently in Sports Medicine and Health Research, the latest review finds that these conveniently short sessions could help counteract the health risks associated with sedentary behaviour, a growing concern in both Thailand and worldwide (Men’s Health UK).

A recent study finds that young men who struggle to adapt thoughts and behaviors around body image and exercise are much more likely to develop unhealthy exercise habits, especially when chasing muscle. The findings, published in Eating Behaviors and summarized by researchers at a leading university, highlight a psychological factor that may help explain why some men in Thailand and around the world develop dangerous exercise routines.

The research is particularly relevant in Thailand, where global ideals of muscularity and fitness have gained traction through social media, fitness influencers, and the booming supplement industry. Local gyms in Bangkok and other cities report a surge in men pursuing intense routines, often inspired by images of ideal physiques seen in popular culture. This trend raises important questions about mental health and wellbeing for Thailand’s youth, and the study offers timely insight.

New research suggests that tiny, near-immediate bursts of resistance exercise—so-called hypertrophy snacks—can boost muscle strength and size. For busy Thai adults who spend long hours seated, these brief sessions offer a feasible path to counteract sedentary risks. The findings, highlighted in recent reviews of sports medicine and health science, indicate that regular, short workouts can improve muscle mass, metabolic health, and cardiovascular fitness without requiring long gym sessions. Data from Health authorities in Thailand underscore the urgency of addressing rising rates of diabetes, heart disease, and sarcopenia in the region.

A global analysis suggests that 30–40 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each day can offset much of the health risk from sitting for hours. The finding comes from large-scale studies using fitness trackers and aligns with recent WHO guidelines. For workers, students, and families across Thailand, this provides a practical target to curb the health impact of desk-bound routines.

In Thailand, rising urban living and office work have driven sedentary behavior higher. A national pattern shows many adults spend seven or more hours seated daily, and by 2023 Thais averaged over 14 hours of sitting per day. The COVID-19 era, with remote work and lockdowns, further reduced daily movement. These trends elevate risks for non-communicable diseases, diabetes, and early mortality.

A groundbreaking meta-analysis has pinpointed just how much daily exercise is required to offset the health risks associated with prolonged sitting—a question highly relevant in an age of office jobs and digital lifestyles. According to recent research explained in ScienceAlert and supported by the latest World Health Organization (WHO) global guidelines, dedicating 30 to 40 minutes a day to moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity can effectively counterbalance up to 10 hours of sitting—a common scenario for many Thais. This revelation, built from extensive global studies using objective trackers rather than subjective self-reports, gives clear, actionable insight for workers, students, and families across Thailand who increasingly find themselves tethered to desks and screens.

Millions of Thais may be unaware they are living with what experts call a “silent disease,” as fragile bones and osteoporosis continue to threaten global health—including here in Thailand. The latest research and expert consensus, highlighted in a recent ABC News report, underscores the urgent need for both preventive and proactive measures to maintain bone health and decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures across all age groups.

Osteoporosis, often only recognized after a fracture occurs, is particularly insidious because it can progress without symptoms for years. Traditionally, it has been associated with elderly women, but new evidence shows that men and younger people are also at considerable risk. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), one in two women and one in three men will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture over their lifetimes, a trend mirrored in many Asian populations, including Thailand’s rapidly aging society.

Millions of Thais may be unaware they have a hidden threat to mobility and independence: osteoporosis and fragile bones. New research and expert consensus emphasize proactive measures to protect bone health across all ages, with clear steps that fit Thai lifestyles and communities.

Osteoporosis often progresses without symptoms until a fracture occurs. While it is commonly linked to older women, recent evidence shows men and younger people are also at risk. Data from leading Australian health bodies indicate that about half of women and a third of men will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetimes. The pattern mirrors trends seen in many Asian populations, including aging societies like Thailand.

A new wave of neuroscience research is overturning long-held notions about the amount of physical activity needed for meaningful brain benefits. According to renowned neuroscientist and expert in brain plasticity, even just ten minutes of walking can prompt remarkable improvements in mood and cognition, effectively giving the brain a neurochemical “bubble bath” that rejuvenates mental health and function. This discovery is especially significant for busy Thais who struggle to dedicate time for lengthy exercise routines, suggesting that modest, regular physical movement could have a disproportionately positive impact on mental well-being.

A new study in Scientific Reports suggests that regular exercise combined with omega-3 supplementation can reduce the severity of chronic tooth root infections. Conducted by researchers from São Paulo State University in Brazil, the work points to non-invasive ways to protect oral health and prevent tooth loss. The findings resonate with Thai communities seeking accessible preventive care and lifestyle approaches to dental well-being.

Chronic apical periodontitis (AP) is a hidden inflammation around the tip of a tooth’s root. Often undetected because symptoms are subtle, AP can result from tooth decay, injury, or previous dental treatment. If left unchecked, it can cause jawbone deterioration and eventual tooth loss. In Thailand, disparities in access to dental care and prevention awareness persist in both urban and rural areas, contributing to untreated dental infections.