Exercise Biology

30/08/2025

Breaking news: New article is up!!

Every decade or so, a study comes along that changes your understanding about a topic. This is that study.

Colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer affecting both men and women. Although we have observational studies showing exercise can ‘reduce’ cancer and improve survival, we don’t have any randomized controlled trials that show the same...

Every decade or so, a study comes along that changes your understanding about a topic. This is that study.

27/05/2025

Big breaking news:

✅I got an National Institute of Health (NIH) R15 3-year grant for improving strength training in older adults. I got it a few months back but was waiting to see if it would get cancelled before I tell everyone haha. For folks who are writing grants, my little piece of advice is to be on grant review panels. I am on 2 NIH grant review panels and it was a great experience. You get a peek at the latest cutting-edge science and hear critiques from folks who are really at the top of their game.

✅And I'm now tenured and promoted to Associate Professor!

Thank you so much for your support throughout my career. 🙏😊

07/05/2024

Good news.. new article is up!!

This recent study was all over the news for showing a shocking 91% increase in heart disease-related deaths! 😳😳😱

Thank you for reading.

This recent paper was all over the news for showing a shocking link of 91% increase in heart disease-related deaths.

18/02/2024

A new network meta-analysis shows exercise as good as drugs and psychotherapy:

1. Exercise is an effective treatment for depression, with walking or jogging, yoga, and strength training more effective than other exercises, particularly when intense.

2. Effects appeared proportional to the intensity of exercise prescribed and were stronger for group exercise and interventions with clear prescriptions

3. These forms of exercise could be considered alongside psychotherapy and antidepressants as core treatments for depression.

🙏💪👊😊

22/07/2023

Our recent article on lighter weight, higher repetition vs. traditional strength training is featured in "The Washington Post." 😊🙏

As a researcher, it is so gratifying to see the article being picked up by a major news outlet. It will reach and impact a lot more people than the original article in a scientific journal ever will. And I believe Gretchen did an excellent job by combining it with another meta-analysis that explores the same topic.

The article requires a subscription to access. If you would like to read it, please let me know, and I can send you the PDF.

Here are some quotes from me that summarize the study.
“A lot of people find the idea of strength training intimidating,”
said Anoop Balachandran, an assistant professor of exercise
science at the City University of New York in Flushing, and lead
author of the new study of light and heavy lifting.

“This was a small, pilot study,” Balachandran said. “But what it
shows is that there are different, feasible options” for anyone
who’s considering lifting. “Use the traditional approach, if you
want,” and lift heavy weights, he said, or go lighter and longer, if
that’s more appealing. “Maybe you have joint problems,” he
said, “or just worry about heavy loads.”

You could also use light dumbbells or resistance bands at home,
he said. Some of the weights lifted by the study’s participants
were that low. “The point is, you can pick the approach you
prefer.” 😊💪

Any type and amount of weight training works to build strength and mass, whether people lifted heavy weights or much lighter ones

10/08/2022

There has been number of weight loss drugs in the market. But this one has surprised a lot of obesity experts - in a good way. They call it the magic pill!👊

https://www.exercisebiology.com/index.php/site/articles/is_this_the_magic_weight_loss_pill

There has been number of weight loss drugs in the market. But this recent pill has surprised a lot of obesity experts, in a good way.

10/02/2022

One of the most talked about benefits of omega-3 supplements is for your heart. But is there any benefit?? Here I am looking at some of the recent trials on Omega-3 and a Cochrane meta-analysis.

If you take fish oils or plan to take them, this is for you! 👊😊

https://www.exercisebiology.com/index.php/site/articles/should_i_take_omega_3_or_fish_oil_for_heart_health

One of the most talked about benefits of omega-3 supplements is for your heart. But is there any benefit? Let's look a closer look.

15/01/2022

New article is here!

Here is my review of the recent controversial study in JAMA on fish oil/omega-3 supplements and depression. If you are taking fish oils, you better don't miss this. 😊

https://www.exercisebiology.com/index.php/site/articles/can_fish_oil_supplementation_cause_depression

Here is my review of the recent controversial JAMA study on fish oil/omega-3 and depression. If you are taking fish oils, read this.

01/01/2022

Here comes a new article from Exercise Biology to celebrate year 2022!! ✅Here are 5 simple rules for good research. A must read for research enthusiasts and researchers:
☑️ Register your outcomes & analysis plan
☑️ Get statistical expertise
☑️ Reduce sources of bias
☑️ Follow reporting guidelines
☑️ Make data open
Thank you and wishing you all a healthy & happy New Year 2022!! 😊
https://www.exercisebiology.com/index.php/site/articles/5_rules_for_great_research

Here are 5 simple rules for great research. A must read for research enthusiasts and early career researchers.

21/10/2021

In this article we will take a look at this recent landmark study in JAMA that will change the way you look at chronic back pain forever!! 👊😊

https://www.exercisebiology.com/index.php/site/articles/can_we_train_the_brain_to_treat_chronic_low_back_pain

Let's take a look at this recent landmark study in JAMA that will change the way you look at pain forever

29/03/2021

NY Times does it again: After a flurry of articles supporting HIT training, and people pointing out it, NY TImes is back with this:
"Too Much High-Intensity Exercise May Be Bad for Your Health".

And as usual, according to the PhD student who conducted the study concludes "Even so, the findings strongly suggest that anyone interested in high-intensity interval training start small, Mr. Flockhart says. Train a few times a week and on the remaining days, maybe take a walk" .

With 11 participants, doing a workout of 4- 8 minutes of high intensity intervals that nobody ever does in real life, for less than a week, and looking at surrogate outcomes, there is no way that you can come to any sort of practical recommendation whatsoever!! 👎👎🤬

A new study hints that excessive HIIT may harm your mitochondria, the energy generators found in every cell of your body.

27/12/2020

New article is here: This recent study published in BMJ is the **largest and longest (5 years) exercise trial** looking to see if supervised exercise can lower deaths. Probably the first exercise trial to study exercise and mortality in older adults!

According to the authors and major media outlets, like NY Times, the article shows that higher-intensity exercise may be beneficial to lower deaths. Can intensity have an affect or should you do some higher intensity exercise?? Here is my take on the article

So what would you do? 😊

The Generation 100 study will be the first large randomised clinical trial where the primary aim is to study effects of supervised, exercise training on mortality over a 5-year period in an elderly population.