#MovementIsMedicine

A growing body of research argues that pain after exercise is not a necessary sign of progress. While delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) often follows workouts, experts say it does not indicate better gains or optimal adaptation. This shift in thinking aligns with safer training practices and has clear implications for Thai athletes, students, and anyone pursuing healthier habits.

While gym culture has long linked effort with pain, researchers explain that discomfort can signal effort but is not a reliable measure of improvement. A leading voice from the University of Bath emphasizes that you may gain more with a touch of soreness, yet pain alone does not drive growth or health benefits. This nuanced view helps to separate effort from injury and to promote sustainable training patterns.

“Feel the burn” and “no pain, no gain” are common mantras in fitness circles, but new research is challenging the idea that muscle pain is a necessary marker of exercise progress. According to a recent feature published by The Guardian (theguardian.com), experts argue that while muscle discomfort—especially the delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS—often follows exercise, it is neither a prerequisite for gains nor always a sign of positive adaptation. This timely revelation aligns with growing global awareness around safe exercise practices and has direct implications for Thai fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone embarking on a healthier lifestyle.

A major new study has found that spending prolonged hours seated each day may shrink the brain and raise the risk of cognitive decline, regardless of how much a person exercises. The findings, which have generated global attention, suggest that even regular physical activity may not be enough to counteract the potentially damaging effects of extended sedentary behavior on brain health, especially in older adults. For Thai readers, who increasingly balance desk-based work with daily commutes and digital leisure time, the message is clear: simply hitting the gym may not be enough—reducing sitting time itself is essential for healthy brain aging.

A groundbreaking study shows that long hours of sitting may cause brain shrinkage and faster cognitive decline, even for those who exercise regularly. For Thai readers juggling desk jobs, commutes, and digital leisure, the message is clear: cutting sitting time is crucial for healthy brain aging, not just hitting the gym.

Researchers tracked thousands of older adults over seven years, using MRI scans and genetic data to assess brain changes. They found that more daily sitting correlated with greater loss of brain volume and faster cognitive decline, even among people who met physical activity guidelines. The effect was stronger among individuals carrying the APOE-e4 gene, a known risk marker for Alzheimer’s disease, underscoring the importance of early lifestyle interventions for at-risk groups. Data from studies conducted by leading health organizations informs this insight, while health reporters around the world have highlighted the finding’s implications for aging populations.

Research is shedding new light on how physical activity may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide and thousands in Thailand. A recent scientific initiative led by a Northwestern University researcher, featured in a KSL-TV report, highlights that high-intensity exercise could be a game-changer for people living with the disease—a message that holds special resonance as Thailand faces an aging population and a rising burden of Parkinson’s cases.

A growing body of research suggests that sustained, vigorous physical activity could help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. This message resonates in Thailand, where an aging population is expected to increase Parkinson’s cases, and public awareness of non-drug therapies remains limited.

A major effort led by a Northwestern University scientist, highlighted by a KSL-TV feature, points to high‑intensity exercise as a potential game changer for people with Parkinson’s. The study emphasizes that elevating heart rate through activities such as brisk walking, cycling, or structured aerobic workouts may improve blood flow and deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the brain. A participant in North America described how regular workouts at 80–85 percent of maximum heart rate eventually built both physical strength and mental well‑being.