Hydration Health

In this edition, core strength gets a better wheel, more reasons to stay hydrated and your weekly recommendations.

The Rundown

Core Motor. MIT motor control expert Dr. Neil Singer has reinvented the ab wheel. Like a regular ab wheel, you hold onto the handles of the ZeroWheel and roll it back and forth along the floor or up and down a wall. Where Singer’s version differs, is its five levels of resistance or assistance and motor. In all directions, the motor offers a tougher workout for stronger users and gives weaker users a boost. The ZeroWheel connects to an app, which allows you to track your progress and compete with other users. It is available for preorder and shipping should begin this fall.

Hydration Health. According to a new study published in eBioMedicine, adults who are well-hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions and live longer than those who do not get sufficient fluids.

Studying health data from more than 11,000 adults gathered over a 30-year period, the research team analyzed links between serum sodium levels (which go up when fluid intake drops) and 15 health markers.

Adults with serum sodium levels at the high end of a normal range were more likely to develop chronic conditions like heart and lung disease and show signs of advanced biological aging than those with levels in the medium ranges. Adults with higher levels were also more likely to die at a younger age.

The researchers note that the findings don’t prove a causal effect and randomized, controlled trials are needed to determine if optimal hydration can promote healthy aging, prevent disease and lead to longer life. But, the associations can guide personal health behavior and most people can safely increase their fluid intake to meet recommended levels. Currently, the National Academies of Medicine suggest most women have 6-9 cups of fluid daily and men have 8-12 cups.

Extra Point

Watch

Break Point. Following in the footsteps of Drive to Survive, which helped to popularize Formula One, Netflix’s Break Point turns its lens on tennis. Like Drive to Survive, it personalizes the featured athletes, gives viewers behind-the-scenes access and lays out storylines that form the arc of the season. Some of these storylines work better than others (see Australian Nick Kyrgios) but all offer compelling insights into the mental demands of the sport. The first five episodes of Break Point begin January 13.

Listen

Get-Fit Guy. Part of the Quick and Dirty Tips, Do Things Better website and podcast network, Get-Fit Guy is hosted by Kevin Don. Each short episode answers a question, or offers a fitness tip or tool. Recent topics include three simple ways to relieve post-exercise soreness, how to assess and fix common squat errors and what to eat before, during and after a workout.

Read

Making Sweat Feel Spiritual Didn’t Start With SoulCycle. In this piece for The Conversation, scholar Cody Musselman explores “how religious meanings attached to the body have endured, transformed – and are now available for purchase at the nearest fitness studio.”