2013 has seen the percentage of Americans who exercise for at least 30 minutes, three or more days per week, decrease to 52.4% from a 2012 percentage of 53.9% according to a recent Gallup poll.

According to new research presented at the American Heart Association's (AHA) Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions, energy drinks may cause a dangerous increase in systolic blood pressure and even disturb the heart's natural rhythm. In the investigation, data was analyzed from seven previously-published observational and interventional studies to determine the impact of chronic energy drink consumption on heart health.

According to new research presented by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), cutting down on salt while simultaneously increasing potassium intake has the potential to produce major health and cost-related benefits worldwide. When a surplus of sodium is ingested without an appropriate counterbalance of potassium, the excess sodium content pulls water into circulation increasing total blood volume, and consequently pressure exerted against major vascular structures. When this acute effect becomes chronic, we see the progression of major cardiovascular diseases with an increased risk for myocardial infarction or stroke due (in part) to vascular damage and hormonal changes.

Earlier this month (April 2013), the White House released the President’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2014. Of note and specific to the fitness industry is a budgeted increase of nearly $1 million to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN).

New research from the University of Memphis’s Human Performance Laboratory examined the acute neuromuscular and metabolic responses to various combinations of concurrent endurance and resistance exercise. It is well known that endurance training and weightlifting induce significantly dissimilar physiological responses, and resultant adaptations. Previous research has shown that high-volume concurrent training results in the body siding with aerobic adaptations (due to the hormonal response).

It has been well documented in clinical trials that graduated compression clothing can provide therapeutic benefits such as improved muscle oxygenation, enhanced circulation in the limbs (especially lower body), a reduction in venous pooling, and reduced tissue edema. These garments are commonly used to reduce the progression of venous disorders and disease.

New research from Memorial University of Newfoundland’s School of Human Kinetics and Recreation sought to examine how an acute bout of self-myofascial release (SMR) via foam rolling would influence subsequent measures of range of motion (ROM), muscle activation and total force output within the tissues addressed. Foam rolling, which is primarily used to reduce myofascial restriction, is also believed to improve muscular function, performance, overuse-related issues, and joint ROM.

New research from Penn State University’s Department of Kinesiology compared select integration and isolation exercises for the core musculature to see which type induces greater core muscle activation. Core training has been a very popular subject over the last few decades, and has been the focus of significant research.