University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center

03/13/2026

Did you know that how exercise feels may influence whether people stay active?

In a randomized controlled trial, adults who took part in exercise sessions designed to feel more enjoyable attended 77% more sessions over eight weeks compared with a control group.

Background Affective responses are increasingly recognized as potentially effective intervention targets that may facilitate exercise and physical activity behavior change. While emerging correlational evidence suggests that more pleasant affective responses are associated with higher participation....

03/12/2026

A recent study found that just 10 minutes of vigorous exercise can trigger molecular changes in the bloodstream that influence gene activity in colon cancer cells, including genes involved in DNA repair.

The findings provide new insight into how physical activity may help reduce cancer risk.

A brief, intense workout may do more than boost fitness—it could help fight cancer. Researchers found that just 10 minutes of hard exercise releases molecules into the bloodstream that switch on DNA repair and shut down cancer growth signals. When these molecules were applied to bowel cancer cells...

03/12/2026

Physical activity may also support oral health.

A systematic review in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care found that people who engage in regular physical activity tend to have lower risk of periodontal disease and better oral health behaviors.

Physical activity and overall health are directly related. Physical inactivity has significant detrimental health effects over the course of a lifetime. World Health Organization (WHO) defines oral health as the absence of mouth and facial pain, ...

03/07/2026

What if exercise felt easier-even while your body was working harder?

A study in the Journal of Sport and Health Science found that 10 minutes of vibration applied to the Achilles and patellar tendons before cycling was associated with higher power output and heart rate at the same perceived effort compared with a sham condition.

Researchers note this approach may be worth exploring as a way to support physical activity engagement.

03/06/2026

Light movement including walking and household activities may be associated with improved survival among adults managing heart, kidney, or metabolic conditions.

Research in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that each additional hour of light physical activity per day was linked to a 14–20% lower mortality risk, with the largest benefits observed among the most sedentary individuals.

Research Highlights: Light physical activity was associated with lower risk of death for adults in stages 2, 3 and 4 of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a health condition that includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and...

03/04/2026

A new systematic umbrella review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (1,000+ studies; 80,000 participants) found that exercise is consistently associated with reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms.

Across aerobic, resistance, and mind-body formats, physical activity demonstrated meaningful benefits reinforcing its value as an accessible, scalable strategy in public health practice.

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02/27/2026

A recently published study using Google Trends found that after COVID-19, public interest remained high for anxiety, sleep, and screen time, while attention to diet and smoking declined.

Search data can reveal what health issues stay top-of-mind long after a crisis ends.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced public interest in health-related behaviors, as reflected in online search trends. Analyzing t...

02/26/2026

Interventions that adapt content and delivery over time are increasingly used to support physical activity and healthy eating. Recent research highlights how tailored approaches may improve relevance compared to fixed program designs.

This systematic review synthesized 61 dynamically tailored eHealth interventions for chronic disease management from 117 papers. Tailoring strategies varied in scope and complexity, with most targeting physical activity (87%) and nutrition (43%), while nearly three-quarters also integrated contextua...

02/26/2026

New plain-language research brief from the USC Prevention Research Center.

Findings from the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) National Study show that online training supported churches in strengthening physical activity and healthy eating policies and practices.

Read more:

Plain Language Research Briefs Summaries of findings from the Prevention Research Center’s studies and scientific publications are listed below. The plain language summaries are designed to share our research with the general community. If you have questions, please contact us. Factors Related to ...

02/21/2026

Did you know your gut microbiome affects more than digestion? Research links a diverse gut to better mood, immunity, and energy. Simple habits like adding fermented foods and fiber-rich options can support overall wellbeing.

Eating probiotic foods regularly is the best habit for better gut health. Dietitians share the benefits and simple ways to include them in your diet.

02/20/2026

A new JAMA Network Open RCT found that pairing high-intensity circuit training with a sleep intervention improved sleep quality and cardiometabolic markers more than either approach alone in sedentary young adults.

This randomized clinical trial investigates objective and subjective sleep outcomes after a combined high-intensity circuit training and sleep health intervention in women aged 18 to 30 years with poor sleep health.

02/14/2026

Did you know that up to 40% of cancer cases worldwide could be prevented? A recent WHO analysis shows that reducing exposure to to***co, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, pollution, and infections could prevent millions of cases every year.

Cancer isn’t just about genetics. Lifestyle and environment play a huge role, and evidence‑based prevention strategies can make a real difference globally.

Up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study examines 30 preventable causes, including to***co, alcohol, high body mass index, physical in...