Woman smoking

Reduce Cigarette Cravings with Acute Exercise

Catherine O’Brien It is no secret that smoking is a major health hazard that significantly increases risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and other health problems. That said, 20% of adult men and 16% of adult women smoke (American Heart Association, 2015). It is possible that, the sustaining prevalence of smokers is due, not to

Effects of Outdoor Exercise

Catherine O’Brien Why Does Exercising Outdoors Feel So Much Better? I have always been a proponent of outdoor exercise, particularly running. There is something so satisfying and therapeutic about the fresh air and the sound of my feet hitting the pavement. Of course, inclement weather sometimes requires me to substitute an indoor treadmill workout for

woman athlete music

Music – Your HIIT Recovery Secret Weapon

Catherine O’Brien The effects of music on exercise experience is a common theme throughout my articles. I am always interested in the relationship between music and physical activity and how music can alter an exercise session. To date, I have primarily written about the role of music during exercise – see The Science Behind Good

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Vestibular Migraines: Could Exercise Be The Answer?

Catherine O’Brien My last article highlighted the inverse relationship between headaches and VO2 max levels such that individuals who experienced headaches regularly had, on average, lower VO2 peaks than their control counterparts. Perhaps one of the most interesting findings from Hagen and colleagues’ study was that this inverse relationship was present, even when controlling for

group push ups

Which Is Better For The Brain – Long Duration Or Short High Intensity Exercise?

Catherine O’Brien High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise that utilizes “repeated bouts of short-to-moderate duration exercise at an intensity of 85-90% of peak oxygen uptake or 90-95% of peak heart rate (HR)” (Kao et al., 2017, p. 1336).  This form of exercise has gained popularity as of late due to its

tremor in hands

3 Strength Exercises For Individuals With Essential Tremor

Catherine O’Brien Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary and rhythmic shaking. Typically, tremors occur in upper extremities such as the hands but tremors can exist in other body parts as well (Mayo Clinic, Aug 2017). Individuals suffering from essential tremor experience disturbances and difficulties in completing everyday tasks such as feeding

2 women running through the city

4 Areas Of The Brain That Benefit From Exercise

Catherine O’Brien Aerobic exercise has been proven to improve cardiovascular health and diminish the risk of heart disease and stroke. In the last decade, the role of aerobic exercise within cognitive and affective domains has become more prominent. Exercise has been shown to reduce mood disturbance, improve psychological well-being, and improve positive valence associated with

woman running on treadmill

Exercise Affects Symptoms Of OCD

Catherine O’Brien Throughout my research, one theme has continued to emerge: exercise has powerful effects that can be used for treatment of various psychological impairments. While my current research focuses largely on healthy populations, I am most interested in the therapeutic effects exercise can offer individuals with clinical diagnoses and challenges. As such, I am

woman sprinting

The Science Behind Good Running Music

Catherine O’Brien What makes a good running song? A couple weeks ago I discussed research that supported the incorporation of music into physical exercise. A quick refresher: the research shows that working out with music, as opposed to without music, produces preservation of key brain areas involved in cognitive processing. Now, if you prefer to

rock climbing

Rock Climbing Helps Control Emotions

Catherine O’Brien According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for individuals between the ages of 15-44. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) IV, MDD is characterize by depressed mood or loss of interest and /or pleasure in daily activities for more

woman meditating on beach

Boost Creativity With Meditation

Catherine O’Brien What is meditation? According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, meditation is a mind-body method that utilizes various techniques to unify the mind and body. Meditation can involve focused attention and / or mindfulness. Research and practitioners support the fact that meditation enhances feelings of calmness, physical relaxation and psychological

woman waking up

5 Exercises To Improve Your Sleep

Catherine O’Brien Sleep, like exercise, is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It is no surprise that there is a wealth of research on the link between exercise, sleep and performance. The aim of this article is to shed some light on the scientific relationship between exercise and sleep and to highlight five types