Tune in to our radio show on your local public radio station, or sign up for the podcast and listen at your leisure. Here’s what it’s about:
Exercise has long been recognized as critical for maintaining a healthy heart and strong bones and muscles. But few Americans get enough movement into our daily lives to maximize the benefits. What can we learn about exercise to help us get up off the couch? Is exercise really healthy for everyone–young, old, fit or out of shape?
Research suggests that physical activity has mental benefits as well. Exercise proved as helpful as prescription medication in alleviating major depression. Another study indicates that exercise helps sharpen and maintain cognitive function. Crossword puzzles may be fun, but a nice brisk walk might be better for the brain. Why not do both?
Guests: James A. Blumenthal, PhD is professor of behavioral medicine at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC.
Gretchen Reynolds is an award-winning journalist and author of the “Phys Ed” column for The New York Times. Her book is The First 20 Minutes: The Myth-Busting Science That Shows How We Can Walk Farther, Run Faster and Live Longer. You can find her on Twitter, she’s @GretchenReynold.
The photo of Gretchen Reynolds was taken by Russell Thurston.
The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free for four weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.
