Retrospective 2024: Landmark studies on physical activity

This text was written by a TecMundo columnist; Learn more at the end.

We live in the Age of Fitness with new endorsements every day What physical activity is good for your health?. Science is huge and producing a lot of work, and we will be sharing some of these fundamental discoveries with you on a weekly basis in 2024.

Today we will explore the most notable scientific papers on physical activity published in 2024 and their main conclusions. Check it out below!

Exercise and depression: the largest study published to date

With more than 200 studies collected on exercise as a treatment for depression and published in the renowned medical scientific journal BMJRegarding mental health, a study that strengthened exercise as a treatment for depression came to the fore.

Various types of exercise appear to have beneficial effects, but four methods were most effective in reducing depressive symptoms: walking, running, strength training, and yoga. If exercise can be done more intensely, it can provide greater benefits.

Science is increasingly discovering that the biggest benefit of movement may be what’s between our ears. However, exercise should be seen as a complement to treatments such as psychotherapy or antidepressants, not as an alternative.

Training to failure in bodybuilding: more evidence against it

The theme of the training so far is Failure in bodybuilding has science, social networks and their fitness influencers in a duel because the rules are opposite. Second, he insists on the need to push strength training to the limit by reaching concentric muscle failure.

On the other hand, scientific studies do not show that this strategy is superior in terms of strength and hypertrophy.

In a study this year, finishing weight training sets with 1 or 2 reserve repetitions was enough to stimulate hypertrophy in the lower extremities (quadriceps) at a level similar to reaching failure in trained men and women. It is known that high effort is desired to maximize results in bodybuilding workouts, but we do not need to reach the limit.

Largest study into gender inequality in exercise

More than 24,000 people from 40 countries took part in the largest ever global study on gender inequality, commissioned by sporting goods supplier Asics. Discover more brand actions here. The research highlighted the importance of women exercising as the more they move, the better they feel.

Of those who exercise, 52 percent are happier, 50 percent are more energetic, 48 percent are more self-confident, 67 percent are less stressed and 80 percent are less frustrated. However, more than half of women do not exercise as much as they would like. In Brazil, 45% of women wanted to exercise more.

Physical exercises against diseases

In a comprehensive study published in the famous scientific journal LancetPhysical exercise has been shown to be effective in the treatment of many chronic diseases. Evidence for the positive effect of physical exercise is on diseases such as atrial fibrillation, dementia, prostate disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, bronchiectasis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), arthritis and hypertension.

The study also found that regular physical activity is beneficial in treating the following diseases: alcohol problems, coronary heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, cancer, painful conditions, abuse of psychoactive substances, osteoporosis, depression, long COVID, sclerosis multiplex, connective tissue disease , peripheral vascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, stroke and chronic kidney disease.

The world is not physically active

Although we have been deceived by accessibility bias, a mental bias based on immediate examples of people exercising in our social circle (in person and virtually), the world scenario is moving in the opposite direction. The world is not on the right track to improve physical activity levels, says WHO, in the largest population survey ever conducted.

Using data from 163 countries with 5.7 million people, they found that a third (31%) of adults were physically inactive, meaning they did not meet recommendations for 2 and a half hours of movement per week. While 34% of women are inactive, 29% of men are less active.

“Regarding age group, older people were less active than younger people in all regions of the world.”

According to studies conducted in Brazil, physical inactivity affects 40% of the population (45% of women and 35% of men). The forecast for our country is negative, and the prevalence of physical inactivity is expected to be 44% by 2030.

Science is advancing, but we are not seeing the same progress in people’s physical activity levels. For a more active 2025.

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Fábio Dominski He holds a PhD in Human Movement Sciences and a degree in Physical Education from Santa Catarina State University (UDESC). He is a university professor and researcher at the Laboratory of Sport and Exercise Psychology (LAPE/UDESC). he does scientific dissemination on social media and in podcast available on Spotify. Author of Physical Exercise and Science – Facts and Myths.