Credit: iStock More than half of all people in the U.S. are living with at least one chronic disease. Fortunately, physical activity and exercise can help manage symptoms and improve overall health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults living with chronic conditions engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity … Continue reading Want to Improve Your Health? Try Pedaling with One Leg Instead of Two
Muscular System
New Research on Weight Cycling, Chemotherapy Side Effects, COVID-19 Severity and Concussion Presented at Experimental Biology 2022
Credit: American Physiological Society Scientists who study physiology and other biomedical research fields—including anatomy, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology—network, collaborate and communicate about the latest research at the APS annual meeting at Experimental Biology (EB). Read on to learn more about how food insecurity affects the heart, why taking vitamin C may counter chemotherapy side effects, how saliva could be … Continue reading New Research on Weight Cycling, Chemotherapy Side Effects, COVID-19 Severity and Concussion Presented at Experimental Biology 2022
What Happens to Astronauts’ Bodies in Space?
APS member and astronaut Jessica Meir, PhD, works in a microgravity environment on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA If I asked you where is up and where is down, you would most likely be able to identify it. This is because the Earth’s gravitational pull on your body makes it easier for you to … Continue reading What Happens to Astronauts’ Bodies in Space?
When It Comes to Losing Weight, One Size Does Not Fit All
Credit: iStock We see unique body sizes and shapes, faces and personalities every day. So, it should not come as a surprise that no two people are exactly alike—not even identical twins. Aside from the obvious differences in people’s outward appearance, there are many differences in people’s physiology as well. Mary-Ellen Harper, PhD, from the … Continue reading When It Comes to Losing Weight, One Size Does Not Fit All
Horror-ibly Wrong Physiology in Scary Movies
Filmmakers have a history of making a few common mistakes in horror movie physiology. Credit: iStock Horror movies have been thrilling fans since the late 1800s, and research has shown that people who watched a horror film had a spike in white blood cells—a basic and important part of the immune system—in response to the … Continue reading Horror-ibly Wrong Physiology in Scary Movies
Spotlight On: The Muscular System
Many of us only think about our muscles when they are sore from being a “weekend warrior” or shoveling out after a snowstorm. However, without skeletal muscles we would not be able to breathe, stand upright, walk or run. The fact that our muscles make up between 40 and 50 percent of our body mass … Continue reading Spotlight On: The Muscular System
Did You Know?: A Muscle May Increase Pneumonia in Older People
By the year 2030, an estimated 70 million people in the U.S.—about 20 percent of the total population—will be older than 65. Going forward, this number is only expected to rise due to a combination of declining birth rates and increased life expectancy. A well-known witticism is “Age is an issue of mind over matter. … Continue reading Did You Know?: A Muscle May Increase Pneumonia in Older People
Why Does Muscle Matter?
When young people think about their muscles, they often focus on enhancing their muscle size and strength for cosmetic or athletic reasons. Those older than 50, however, need to be more concerned with just keeping the muscle they have. On average, people over the age of 50 lose 1 to 2 percent of their muscle … Continue reading Why Does Muscle Matter?
Taking Ibuprofen during Exercise May Cause More Harm than Good
Every January gym memberships spike and the wait to get on the treadmill gets longer. This happens because about 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, the most common of which are exercising more and improving fitness. Some people may believe in the concept of “no pain no gain,” but it’s a common misconception … Continue reading Taking Ibuprofen during Exercise May Cause More Harm than Good
2017’s 10 Most-read Posts
Another physiology-filled year on the I Spy Physiology blog is almost over. This year, we’ve explored dozens of topics, ranging from skin cancer, gut health and spinal cord injury to the mystery of how hibernating animals’ muscles remain strong. We’ve celebrated women in science and smiled at the thought of turkeys running on treadmills. Today, … Continue reading 2017’s 10 Most-read Posts