A step counter will not do the hard part of dieting for you. But new research suggests it may help with the part many people struggle with most, keeping the weight off once it is gone.

Abstract

Background

Caloric restriction (CR), achieved by reducing energy intake without malnutrition, has been shown to preserve muscle function and delay age-related declines in strength and mobility by modulating key metabolic and molecular pathways involved in muscle maintenance. While most initial research on CR was done in rodents, non-human primates (NHPs) offer a higher translatable animal model for understanding CR effects due to their close genetic, physiological and cognitive similarities to humans.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated skeletal muscle gene expression changes induced by 30% CR in skeletal muscle in rhesus monkeys (n = 18 CR, n = 18 control). We performed high-depth RNA sequencing to profile gene expression and alternative splicing variants and identify pathways linked to aging, regeneration/degeneration, and energy metabolism.

Results

Transcriptomic profiling revealed widespread gene expression differences between CR animals compared to controls. Genes that were overexpressed were mainly involved in pathways related to energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, signaling, and oxidative stress response. Conversely, underexpressed genes were connected to immune response, extracellular matrix organization, apoptosis, and ribosomal RNA processing. Further, we identify alternative splicing as a major mechanism by which CR modulates genes involved in muscle function, metabolism, and aging.

Conclusions

Caloric restriction preserves skeletal muscle by enhancing metabolism, limiting degeneration and inflammation, and engaging conserved mechanisms across species.

I want it to function like a deck of cards where I can randomly choose a card. On that card will have an exercise or movement.

However, instead of one deck of cards it should be dozens of decks, each full of movements based on specific categories.

For example:

- Pilates Deck: reverse sit ups, 100, clam shell, etc.

- Cardio Deck: burpees, jumping jacks, high knees, etc.

- Lower Body Deck: sumo squat, bridge, side lunge, etc.

And so on and so on. Then I can choose from the decks I want shuffled together. So I might get a cardo activity or I might get lower body.

Then, and this would be amazing, I want the option to have it give me a notification of a movement at preset increments. So maybe every 1.5 hours I’ll get a notification that says: 5 Burpees, or 1 min plank, etc.

Does this exist? And if not, will someone please make it!