Science Weekly - 27th Aug 2021

Looks like exercise and sports science dominated this week in published papers. There is an intriguing paper from archaeologists that might interest the personal trainers on the geeky spectrum as well as a mathematical model that scientists developed that predicts how to best build muscle.

​Highlights:
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• ​Lonely flies, like many humans, eat more and sleep less
• ​Can isometric resistance training safely reduce high blood pressure?
• ​You’re cooler than you think! Hypothermia may go unnoticed when exercising in the cold
• ​Mathematical model predicts best way to build muscle
• ​Exercise maintains normal heart rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation
• ​Gut bacteria and flavonoid-rich foods are linked and improve blood pressure levels
• ​It’s never too late to get active
• ​​Men and women of Roman Herculaneum had different diets, new research shows
• ​​​From couch to ultra-marathon – mental imagery technique can aid running challenge completion

Lonely flies, like many humans, eat more and sleep less

Single fruit flies quarantined in test tubes sleep too little and eat too much after only about one week of social isolation, according to a new study.

Source: ​Rockefeller University

Can isometric resistance training safely reduce high blood pressure?

This very accessible and easy to perform intervention could have a strong effect on reducing blood pressure, say researchers.

Source: University of New South Wales

You’re cooler than you think! Hypothermia may go unnoticed when exercising in the cold

An exercise physiology study has demonstrated that perception of core body temperature is altered by low-intensity exercise in cold environments. The findings have provided important information about the role of temperature sensation in thermoregulation and suggest that, during activities performed in the water or in the winter, the possibility of accidental hypothermia should be kept in mind.

Source: University of Tsukuba

Mathematical model predicts best way to build muscle

Researchers have developed a mathematical model that can predict the optimum exercise regime for building muscle.

Source: University of Cambridge

Exercise maintains normal heart rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation

A six-month exercise program helps maintain normal heart rhythm and reduces the severity of symptoms in patients with atrial fibrillation, according to new research.

Source: European Society of Cardiology

Gut bacteria and flavonoid-rich foods are linked and improve blood pressure levels

Flavonoids found in plants and plant foods such as berries, apples, tea, wine and dark chocolate are known to offer health benefits, including some protective effects on the cardiovascular system. A study of over 900 adults in Germany evaluated the quantity and frequency of eating flavonoid-rich foods and measured bacteria in the gut microbiome to determine if there was an association with blood pressure levels.

Source: American Heart Association

It’s never too late to get active

A study in more than 30,000 heart patients shows that becoming active later in life can be nearly as beneficial to survival as continued activity.

Source: ​European Society of Cardiology

​Men and women of Roman Herculaneum had different diets, new research shows

Archaeologists examining the Herculaneum skeletal remains of the victims of Vesuvius say they have helped shed new light on the eating habits of ancient Romans -- with food differentiated along gender lines and revealing women ate more animal products and locally grown fruit and vegetables while the men dined on more expensive fish.

Source: University of York

​From couch to ultra-marathon – mental imagery technique can aid running challenge completion

A motivational intervention known as functional imagery training (FIT) can help self-professed non-runners to complete an ultra-marathon (50km plus), according to new research.

Source: University of Plymouth