Welcome to 2025! For many of us, January feels ripe with possibility—the chance to instill new habits and improve our well-being. What better to guide such aspirations than lifestyle changes backed by research?
Numerous
University of Massachusetts Amherst
researchers are dedicated to studying ways to improve human health and quality of life. As you think about your goals for the year ahead, here are some research findings that may be of interest to you.
- Want to significantly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease—and all-around mortality? Try adding strength training to your routine. According to research led by UMass physical activity epidemiologist and kinesiologist Amanda Paluch, resistance training regimens can be simple and do not require a lot of time. They can involve free weights, body weight exercises, machine weights, and resistance bands. Body weight training can be equally effective as training with weights or machines.
- Resolved to quit smoking or vaping in the new year? Studies by UMass public health researcher Jamie Hartmann-Boyce reveal some of the most effective tools to help making quitting easier. Worldwide, smoking is the?leading cause of preventable disease and death, resulting in more than seven million deaths per year.?“For people who smoke cigarettes, the single best thing they can do for their health is to quit smoking,” says Hartmann-Boyce. “However, many people find it difficult to do so. Fortunately, there is strong evidence to support the use of a number of different ways to quit smoking.”
- Looking to increase daily physical activity for your kids? Consider getting a family dog. A small preliminary study by UMass kinesiologist Katie Potter found that about 20% of daily physical activity done by children in the study came from time in close proximity with the family dog. Now a larger study, aimed at including a more diverse population, is underway.
- Want to run faster? Research by UMass kinesiologist Wouter Hoogkamer suggests "super spikes," scientifically described as advanced footwear technology (AFT) spikes, can give runners about a 2% edge in middle-distance track races, like the 800- and 1,500-meters. Previously, Hoogkamer's research showed the benefits of super shoes in marathons as well.
- Hoping to understand your risk of Type 2 diabetes? A team of international researchers, co-led by UMass genetic epidemiologist Cassandra Spracklen, has located 1,289 genetic markers associated with Type 2 diabetes (145 of which are newly identified) and generated risk scores for diabetes complications. Ultimately, the goal is to identify potential genetic targets to treat or even cure the chronic metabolic disease that affects and sometimes debilitates more than 400 million adults worldwide.
- Finally, if you are pregnant, research shows that diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum impacts short- and long-term health outcomes for both parent and child. Yet, research by Anna Maria Siega-Riz, professor of nutrition and epidemiology and dean of the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences, finds a pervasive low-quality diet among pregnant and postpartum individuals, reflecting “an urgent need for widespread improvement.” Learn how you can improve your diet during pregnancy.
Like what you read here? Visit our website to explore more UMass Amherst research and innovation, or sign up to receive the Revolutionary Research e-newsletter in your inbox four times a year for more great news, stories, and profiles of researchers.
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