#PhysicalExercise

A groundbreaking study published in BMC Geriatrics highlights the intricate web connecting physical exercise, frailty, depression, and loneliness among older adults—a topic of urgent relevance as Thailand’s population rapidly ages. This latest research finds that regular physical activity not only diminishes feelings of isolation but does so by mediating both physical frailty and depressive symptoms, offering hope for millions seeking to age with dignity and connection (BMC Geriatrics).

Loneliness is widely recognized as a severe public health issue among older adults. Defined as a distressing emotional state arising from a perceived lack of meaningful social bonds, chronic loneliness is linked to higher rates of physical and mental health problems, including hypertension, depression, and even elevated mortality (BMC Geriatrics). In the Thai context, where family and communal ties are traditionally considered bedrocks of wellbeing, the cracks showing in these supports due to urbanization, migration, and shifting social structures intensify the risks.

A new international study has found that regular physical exercise can significantly enhance the academic self-confidence of college students, with personality traits like future orientation and mental resilience playing a pivotal mediating role. The findings could inform Thai universities and educators looking to support students’ mental well-being and scholastic achievement amid mounting educational challenges.

The research, conducted with 624 university students, examined how physical activity contributes not only to physical health, but to psychological traits that underpin academic success. By using structured questionnaires and advanced statistical analysis, the investigators uncovered a strong positive link between engaging in exercise and students’ belief in their ability to excel academically—what psychologists call “academic self-efficacy” (Frontiers in Psychology).

As we advance in years, maintaining mobility often becomes a challenge. However, the latest research by Dr. Kelly Starrett, a physical therapist with a background in athletics, suggests that it need not be an inevitability of aging. His insights, recently discussed on CNN, highlight practical strategies that older adults can employ to retain and even enhance their flexibility and independence.

Starrett emphasizes the misconception that reduced range of motion is an unavoidable consequence of aging. Instead, he proposes that efforts should focus on maintaining and regaining one’s natural range of motion. The couple’s recent book, “Built To Move: The 10 Essential Habits To Help You Move Freely and Live Fully,” coauthored with Juliet Starrett, outlines simple yet effective practices that can be integrated into daily routines without overwhelming time commitments.