Latest news with #Leota
New York Post
5 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Exercising within 4 hours of bedtime is messing with your sleep
Sweat dreams? While trying to get ripped is an admirable goal, new research reveals that doing it at night might just be muscling into your REM cycle. High-intensity workouts four hours or less before bed were linked to poorer sleep quality, later bedtimes and a higher resting heart rate. 3 While you may know that working out right before bed isn't good for you, this is the first and most extensive study to understand why. Pormezz – They were also associated with lower heart rate variability, meaning less variation in the time between heartbeats, which is generally a sign of stress or poor recovery. All of the markers indicate strenuous exercise that close to lights out puts the body into a heightened state of alertness, hindering the transition to restful sleep. Strenuous exercise is defined as activities that require a lot of physical effort — typically elevating the heart rate to 70% to 85% of maximum capacity — such as biking uphill, engaging in HIIT or playing sports. While experts have generally agreed that working out right before bed isn't good for you, this is the first and most extensive study to illuminate why. 3 This graphic from the study shows actual exercise timing and strain associations with sleep and nocturnal autonomic activity. Nature Communications (2025) 'Intense exercise in the evening can keep the body in a heightened state of alertness, which is why public health guidelines have previously advised against working out too close to bedtime,' lead author Dr. Josh Leota, a research fellow in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, said in a statement. 'However, findings from controlled laboratory studies are less conclusive, with many suggesting that evening exercise doesn't necessarily disrupt sleep.' These studies relied on small sample sizes and laboratory settings, Leota said, and rarely involved exercise that made substantial cardiometabolic demands on the body. For his research, Leota and his team analyzed data from 14,689 people over the course of one year, which translated to a whopping 4 million nights of information. Participants wore a health-tracking wristband called WHOOP to monitor their sleep, exercise and heart health. The findings were adjusted for factors such as gender, age and general fitness level, lending further credibility to the study's conclusions. 3 The study found that doing high-intensity workouts four hours or less before bed led to poorer sleep quality, later bedtimes and a higher resting heart rate. oneinchpunch – The results were published recently in the journal Nature Communications. Studies indicate that exercising in general is good for sleep, with some researchers reporting that short, light workouts before bed can help you sleep longer, lower blood sugar levels and potentially live longer. So, if you do find yourself wanting to work out a couple of hours before bed, Leota suggests choosing 'brief low-intensity exercises, such as a light jog or swim, to minimize sleep disruption and allow the body to wind down.' Or, for added gut health benefits — just take a fart walk.
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
ANZ first round had a bit of everything
Did the opening round of the ANZ Premiership live up to the hype? Netball writer Kayla Hodge looks at five talking points. Super shot All the chat surrounding the opening round of the competition centred on the addition of the two-point shot. The initiative — which is in play for the final five minutes of each quarter — has been lauded in Australia's domestic competition. From the opening round, shooters landed 25 of 65 attempts from the two-point range and it was interesting to see different tactics in play. It took until just before halftime in the opening game between the Central Pulse and the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic for the first attempt to drop. But in the Auckland derby between the Northern Mystics and the Northern Stars, eight shots landed in the opening quarter before both teams sizzled out from the hot zone. There were always going to be teething issues through the first few rounds, and the two-point zone was used less than people might have thought, so it will be interesting to watch as the competition progresses. Stars did not align It was a gut-wrenching opening game for the Stars as they saw three of their starting side go down with what appeared to be serious injuries. Wing defence Greer Sinclair was the first to succumb to what looked like a season-ending knee injury, defender Kate Burley picked up an ankle complaint, and shooter Charlie Bell was stretchered off with an ankle injury late in the game. The Stars said on Monday Bell was "tracking positively" for Sunday's game. The injuries forced the Stars to completely empty their bench, and considering the Stars already had Samon Nathan out nursing a niggle, and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was supposed to be on managed minutes as she returned from an ACL injury, it made for grim reading. Captain Maia Wilson called it heartbreaking as she battled through tears in her post-match interview and said in her 10 years of elite netball she had never been involved in a game like it. Unexpected homecoming How many 40-year-olds — and mothers of five — can say they made their elite netball return 14 years after last pulling on the same dress? Liana Leota can. While she expected to settled into her new role as Southern Steel assistant coach for their opening game, Leota was a late call-up when co-captain Kate Heffernan was ruled out with a knee injury. Leota played nine minutes, finishing with seven feeds and three goal assists, in their loss to the Tactix. "I would do anything for this team" Leota told Sky Sport after the game. "Pulling on the dress for five, 10 minutes, I would do it all over again." But the real concern is around the seriousness of Heffernan's injury. Heffernan has been a mainstay since signing as a replacement player in 2018 and has established herself as a starting Silver Fern. She will be a big loss if she is sidelined for weeks. Naughty chair Did Aliyah Dunn warrant a suspension? The Steel shooter clipped the feet of defender Karin Burger as she tried to get out of the way for her landing space. But officials deemed it was dangerous play with Burger landing on the floor, and Dunn was suspended for two minutes. It was a tough task for the Steel without a key position on the court and there has been an outcry online from fans saying it was not warranted. Umpires cracked down on dangerous play last year in a bid to clean up the game. Finger on the Pulse The Pulse sent an early warning sign to the rest of the competition with their 57-44 win over the Magic. But the real head-scratcher was the Magic's performance. Many expected the Magic to make the top three for the first time this season — including commentators Jenny Woods, Anna Stanley and Adine Wilson — but their performance was well off the pace. Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio called it a humbling reality check. But if that is how the Pulse performed with players on limited minutes, and replacements taking to the court, their rematch of last year's final against the Mystics this weekend will be a humdinger.
Arab Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Late-night workouts disrupt sleep and heart health, new study finds
NEW YORK, May 12: Exercise performed too close to bedtime could negatively affect sleep quality, timing, and duration, according to a new study led by Monash University. The research, published in Nature Communications, revealed that more intense workouts near bedtime are associated with greater disruptions in sleep and nighttime cardiac activity. The study, which is the largest of its kind, discovered that exercising within four hours of bedtime led to later sleep onset, shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality, and higher resting heart rate coupled with lower heart rate variability. This study is the first to identify these specific associations. The research involved an international sample of 14,689 participants, with data collected over the span of one year, resulting in an analysis of four million nights of data. Participants wore multi-sensor biometric devices (WHOOP Strap) that recorded exercise, sleep, and cardiovascular data. Monash University and WHOOP researchers examined how evening exercise, the strain of the workout, and nocturnal cardiac activity—including resting heart rate and heart rate variability—were related. They found that the combination of later exercise timing and higher exercise intensity led to delayed sleep onset, shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality, higher nocturnal resting heart rate, and lower nocturnal heart rate variability. The results were adjusted for factors such as gender, age, weekday, season, general fitness, and the previous night's sleep. High-strain exercises include activities that significantly increase heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, and mental alertness, such as HIIT (high-intensity interval training), football or rugby games, and long-distance running. Dr. Josh Leota, the study's lead author from Monash University's School of Psychological Sciences, emphasized the importance of understanding the link between exercise timing and sleep. He noted that intense exercise in the evening keeps the body in a heightened state of alertness, which may explain why public health guidelines have advised against late-night workouts. However, Dr. Leota pointed out that controlled laboratory studies have had mixed results, with some suggesting that evening exercise does not always disrupt sleep. He also noted that many of these studies involved small sample sizes and exercise regimens that did not place significant cardiometabolic demands on the body, questioning the validity of their findings. Dr. Leota suggested that if people wish to improve sleep health, they should aim to finish their exercise routine at least four hours before bedtime. For those who need to exercise closer to bedtime, low-intensity activities like light jogging or swimming may help minimize sleep disruption and allow the body to wind down. Dr. Elise Facer-Childs, a senior author on the study from Monash University, commented that the findings show a clear, consistent relationship between evening exercise, sleep quality, and nocturnal cardiac function. "Evening exercise—especially when it involves high levels of cardiovascular strain—can disrupt sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability, all of which impair the body's recovery process," she explained. Dr. Facer-Childs highlighted the importance of the findings for public health messaging. "Our research has significant implications for how we communicate the timing, duration, and intensity of exercise. Given that two-thirds of Australian adults report sleep problems, and one in five adults fail to get the recommended seven or more hours of sleep per night, these insights are crucial for improving population sleep health." The study underscores the importance of balancing exercise routines with sleep needs, suggesting that proper timing and intensity of workouts could play a critical role in improving overall health and well-being.
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Peacemaker Meets The Justice League In Season 2 First Look
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The first trailer for "Peacemaker" Season 2 is here and it kicks off with a big surprise. It opens with Leota (Danielle Brooks) driving Peacemaker (John Cena) to an interview, but not just any interview. When Peacemaker arrives he appears to be interviewing for a spot on the actual Justice League. You can watch the trailer and see how the interview turns out below. Read More: 'Peacemaker' Season 2 - Everything We Know So Far The interview scene includes Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, and Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord. None of them seem particularly impressed with Peacemaker, who overhears them insulting him along with just outright ignoring him. John Cena in Season 2 of "Peacemaker". John Cena in Season 2 of "Peacemaker". Warner Bros "Peacemaker" creator and showrunner James Gunn has said that this season will be much more about the interaction between the characters and the trailer seems to bear that out. Leota seems to be having problems with her wife while we see Emilia (Jennifer Holland) dealing with some rage issues including getting into what appears to be a pretty involved bar fight. It also becomes clear that Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) will be one of the season's antagonists. Peacemaker kills his son, Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) in 2021's "The Suicide Squad", and the elder Flag seems to be looking for some payback. Flag has taken the reins of A.R.G.U.S. over from Amanda Waller (Viola Davis). Waller was supposed to get her own series that was going to be released before "Peacemaker" Season 2 that would presumably explain Waller's ousting, but the series hit some creative roadblocks. The trailer also gives us a chance to see Tim Meadows in his role as A.R.G.U.S. agent Langston Fleury, and we also get a very brief look at Michael Rooker playing what appears to be some kind of mystical character. Just as the trailer opens with a surprise, it ends with one. We see Peacemaker walk through a door and is confronted by a completely different Peacemaker, though also played by John Cena. It may be too soon to tell, but on the face of things it looks like Marvel isn't the only studio playing around with the multiverse. "Oh Lord" by Foxy Shazam plays in the background and since we know there will be a new song and dance number for the intro of Season 2, it's tempting to speculate that this could be the new starting tune. "Peacemaker" Season 2 premieres on Max on August 21. More Comics: Marvel Eyeing 'Thunderbolts' Director for 'X-Men' Fan-Favorite Star From 'The Bear' Cast in 'Spider-Man 4'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Waratahs hungry for first win in Wellington in a decade
The NSW Waratahs have parked their drought-breaking victory over the ACT Brumbies as they chase an even more hoodoo-busting win in Wellington. The Waratahs fly to New Zealand on Wednesday hunting a first away win over the Hurricanes in a decade. History shows toppling the Canes at Sky Stadium is one of Super Rugby Pacific's tallest orders for the Tahs, who have leaked an average of 35 points a game during a run of five straight defeats at the dreaded venue since a rare victory in 2015. Little wonder the Waratahs' focus has shifted quickly from a first win over the Brumbies in seven years to upsetting the Hurricanes on home turf to continue their heady start to 2025. "Playing away games are always tough, and then trying to get a win in New Zealand is another level," in-form back-rower Rob Leota said of Friday night's challenge. "We've had a great start to the season and for us it's about being consistent, so we don't want to change too much. "We just want to not go away from what's been working for us. "The only thing that changes is we're just in New Zealand now so it's just focusing on what we can control and come game day we've just got to be prepped to go and we're going to get a victory over there in New Zealand for sure." A refreshed Leota has been instrumental in the Waratahs winning four of their first five games this campaign, all the wins at home in Sydney. After three years blighted by multiple leg injuries, the bruising flanker opted out of contention for the spring tour of the UK last November to try to finally get his body right. As he put it, Leota "attacked rehab" head on and the Tahs are prospering with the former Wallaby crossing for tries and causing havoc playing in a wider role than usual. "If I had the chance to get over there (to the UK), it was a possibility, but, no, I think we were pretty set on just staying and just getting my body right," he said. "Once I had that clear coms to be able to do that, it just made everything easy for me. "In previous years I was probably thinking too far ahead, but I just simplified it for myself and it was just to focus on Waratahs, playing trials before the season started and then getting picked for round one and now it's just about applying myself every week. "I'm just trying to play as good a footy as I can for the team and get wins." In a huge boost to the Tahs' chances, marquee signing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was on Wednesday named at outside centre for his long-awaited comeback from a toe injury.
