BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Squats are a gym staple, right? But what if this straightforward exercise also gave your brain a good workout? A recent study from Germany reveals that performing squats on unsteady surfaces not only develops your lower body but also improves your mental focus. “Our study found attentional resources while squatting exercises to be increased by surface instability,” the researchers and study authors Lisa Claußen and Claudia Braun concluded. So, grab your balance trainers and get ready to challenge both your muscles and your mind. Basics: squats and resistance training Squats are a compound exercise that works multiple muscular groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The exercise is straightforward: bend your knees and lower your hips from a standing position before returning to upright. Add weights, such as dumbbells, and the challenge—and benefits—increase. Resistance exercises, like squats, are designed to build muscle strength by working against a force, whether that’s your own body weight, resistance bands, or free weights. Over time, these activities not only bulk up your muscles, they also improve bone density and metabolism. But here’s where things get interesting: physical activity may help improve cognitive function. According to studies, exercising might boost executive functioning and make your brain sharper over time. The study: unstable surfaces and cognitive demands Claußen and Braun intended to explore the relationship between exercise and cognitive performance further. They expected that squats on unstable surfaces (such as Bosu® Balance Trainers) would require more attention than squats on solid ground. To test this notion, they devised an experiment that included two important components: dumbbell squats and the Stroop task, a cognitive test in which participants name the font color of a word while ignoring what it really says. For example, the word “red” could be printed in blue ink, which would make the correct answer “blue.” The task involves intense concentration, making it an excellent test of attention. The researchers enrolled two groups of people: 57 older adults in their 60s and 70s and 17 younger adults in their 20s. Following some preliminary screening to ensure that everyone was physically and cognitively ready for the study, participants were instructed to squat on stable and unstable surfaces while concurrently performing the Stroop task. Doesn’t that sound like a breeze? Well, not quite. Findings: it’s all about balance (and focus) The results were clear: squatting on an unsteady surface, such as the Bosu trainer, made things far more difficult—both physically and mentally. When individuals performed squats on a stable surface, their performance on the Stroop task decreased by nine percent. However, when participants performed the same squats on an unsteady surface, their Stroop task performance dropped by 14 percent. That extra wobble certainly requires more concentration! Surprisingly, the researchers discovered no significant difference between younger and older subjects in terms of cognitive performance during squats. This was rather surprising, as it is commonly assumed that older persons would struggle more with tasks that require both physical and mental effort. However, the authors believe this is because some of the older individuals were eliminated from the trial after finding the dumbbell squats too difficult, resulting in a particularly fit group in the final analysis. What does this mean for your workout? If you want to improve your brain function while training your legs, integrating an unstable surface into your squat exercise could be the way to go. Claußen and Braun propose that “unstable devices and free weights could provide a means to raise cognitive demands during resistance training.” In other words, experimenting with squats on a balance trainer or an uneven surface can help you improve both your physical and mental health. However, this is not a workout for the faint of heart—or those unfamiliar with resistance training. The instability heightens the total difficulty, forcing your brain to work extra to keep you balanced. What is the payoff? An exercise that challenges both your muscles and your brain. Final thoughts: the future of exercise The study’s findings suggest an interesting option for future exercise routines: designing regimens that engage both the body and the brain in significant ways. While the advantages of physical fitness are well-documented, incorporating cognitive challenges into your workout may be the key to long-term brain health. Whether you’re an older senior seeking to keep your cognitive function or a younger person looking to improve your focus and agility, squatting on an unstable surface could be the next fitness trend. So, the next time you go to the gym, why not grab a Bosu ball and try it? Your brain and body will thank you. Source study: Journal of Cognitive Enhancement—Challenge not only to the muscles: surface instability shifts attentional demands in younger and older adults while performing resistance exerciseThe post Challenge both mind and muscles with wobbly squats first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'she's totally uninterested'

Ain't no way in hell I'm leaving $20 million for St. Bonaventure

Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. And while many prospective dog owners, especially first-time owners, think they understand the depth of this commitment, it is often difficult for them to foresee the full range of such responsibility. We believe that as dog owners, whether seasoned or new, being responsible for the overall well-being of a dog should be the forefront of every decision you make moving forward. And responsible dog ownership doesn’t start when you get a dog. Making an informed decision and preparing yourself for the commitment that’s about to come is where it truly begins. Southworks / Shutterstock.com And that’s why in honor of Responsible Dog Ownership Month, we’re here to help you make an informed decision on where and how to get a dog. This is also a great opportunity to help your reflect on what it truly means to provide a happy, healthy, and safe environment for your dog, especially for first-time dog owners. If you’ve finally made the decision to add a furry friend to your family and into your home, now it’s time to determine what route to take – buying or adopting? This is one of the biggest dilemma for many prospective dog owners. And making a decision between these options isn’t easy. So, in this article, we’ll discuss both options of buying and adopting dogs so you can consider all factors for an informed and responsible decision. Knowing The Difference Between Buying And Adopting Dogs The first step to making a decision between buying and adopting dogs is to know their main differences. Below, we’ll discuss just that. Buying Dogs hedgehog94 / Shutterstock.com Buying dogs mean purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder, at pet stores, and/or online. Many people who buy dogs are often those who want a puppy, and/or have their hearts set on specific characteristics such as breed, age, color, size, temperament, or pedigree, which can be difficult to find at a shelter. Buying can be more expensive, since people who prefer to buy a dog want to own a specific breed of dog, which leads to buying one from a breeder, at the pet store, or online. Additionally, purebred dogs or dogs from highly reputable breeders can be quite expensive. And then reputable breeders also charge additional fees, on top of the purchase price, for vaccinations, health checks, microchipping, spaying/neutering, and many more. Furthermore, buying a dog is more time-consuming, because you need to thoroughly do your own extensive research about the breed and find a responsible, and ethical breeder where you’re getting the dog from. Adopting Dogs hedgehog94 / Shutterstock.com Adopting dogs mean taking in a dog from an animal shelter, rescue organization, or even directly from a previous owner. These dogs are usually stray, abandoned dogs or dogs that need rehoming. Unlike buying, adopting dogs involve a process that is focused on finding the most suitable home and owner for a dog. So, when you adopt a dog, the organization or person where you’re adopting from will need to evaluate your lifestyle and also your ability to provide and take care of the pooch. Adopting is not as expensive as buying. Because the adoption fee usually includes essential services such initial medical care, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc. Furthermore, you might not have to do as much research as compared to when you buy a dog. Usually, shelters and rescue organizations have assessments of their dogs’ behavior and temperament. So, you have a generally good idea of what you’re getting into. Pros & Cons: Buying vs. Adopting Dogs Buying and adopting dogs have their own pros and cons. And making sure to reflect on these will help you make a choice the properly aligns with your lifestyle and your personal and ethical values. Buying Dogs David Tadevosian / Shutterstock.com Are you leaning more towards the option to buy a dog? Use the following pros and cons to help you become more confident in your choice or give you insight into why adopting dogs might be better suited for you. Adopting Dogs David Tadevosian / Shutterstock.com Have you decided that adopting dogs is something that speaks to you a lot better than buying dogs? Well, here are pros and cons to help you seal the deal. Buying vs. Adopting: Which Is The Better Option? Evgenii Bakhchev / Shutterstock.com While buying dogs can provide you with a cute puppy, all the breed-specific characteristics you’re looking for, early training, it is a responsible dog owner’s responsibility to come to a conclusion with careful consideration of not only your lifestyle, but of larger issues such as the impact on animal welfare and other ethical concerns. On the flip side, adopting dogs is not only compassionate but also an ethical choice. It saves lives, reduces costs, and positively contribute to animal welfare organizations. However, it still does come with its own challenges. While both buying and adopting dogs have their own pros and cons, prospective dog owners should do their due diligence before choosing any of the options presented. Furthermore, we want to encourage prospective dog owners to seriously weigh in both options with the primary focus being responsible dog ownership. Because at the end of the day, whether a dog is purebred or mixed breed, a dog’s overall well-being should be at the center of your decision-making process. Conclusion amfroey / Shutterstock.com Making a well-informed decision will not only positively affect you, but will also positively contribute to the dog’s welfare and the pet community as a whole. As a prospective owner, knowing the weight of the decision to own a dog is important. Do your own research, reflect, and make a choice that truly aligns with your values and lifestyle. And whether you choose to buy or adopt, we want to, yet again, remind that responsible dog ownership should be paramount.

Vivek Going to Springfield

Ivy League Schools Face New Lawsuits Over Affirmative Action

The witness Democrats invited to testify for Wednesday's House Homeland Security Committee hearing on the border crisis said that racism is the major driver behind legislation and ideas for better security at the southern border.Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway downplayed the overall crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border because his county in Arizona is safe. Nogales, Arizona, which is part of Santa Cruz County, does have a border wall."The vast majority of people coming to the U.S. are coming to work. It is disingenuous to conflate people coming to work with drug dealers or criminals. They come to improve their lives," Hathaway wrote for his testimony."And certain policies smack of racism. For example, a wall was never suggested for the Canadian-U.S. border. Title 42, a COVID policy, was never implemented aggressively at the Northern border to keep foreigners from making claims. And it is odd to me that it has become fashionable to talk of walls, tariffs, and isolationism. Reagan was not a fan of walls. When the Soviet Union suggested that they were embracing freedom in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Reagan told them to prove it by tearing down the Berlin Wall," Hathaway continued.Hathaway's apples-to-oranges comparison about the border wall being constructed along the southwest border was heavily criticized by Republicans on the committee.Rep. Eli Crane, who is from Arizona, asked Hathaway which border experiences more illegal immigration."Probably the southern border," Hathaway reluctantly answered."Yeah, you know it is," Crane shot back."It's not about race with the American people. Matter of fact, most American people support legal immigration. It's the illegal immigration, it has nothing to do with race," Crane also noted.Crane also got Hathaway to admit that while he keeps his doors closed at home, he leaves the door unlocked. — (@) Nogales, Arizona, which is part of Santa Cruz County, does have a border wall that extends beyond the port of entry.Hathaway further said he did not know what Tren de Aragua is despite the Venezuelan gang having a foothold within the country and committing high-profile crimes under the Biden-Harris administration.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Fourteen Republicans voted Wednesday with Democrats of the U.S. House of Representatives to defeat a bill meant to fund the government and avoid a shutdown at the end of the month. The funding measure failed by a vote of 220 to 202. 'The play that we ran tonight was the right play. ... I'm very disappointed that it didn't pass.' Three Democrats crossed the aisle and voted with Republicans in favor of the bill. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana had tied an election integrity bill to the funding legislation in an attempt to pressure Democrats to pass it all at once. "It is members across the conference who share the same concern that we do about this," said Johnson about the SAVE Act earlier in September. "And we believe it’s one of the — perhaps the most urgent issue, the most imminent threat facing the country, is the integrity of this election cycle.”After the bill failed Wednesday, Johnson spoke to reporters. "The play that we ran tonight was the right play. It's the right play for the American people. It's the one they demand and deserve," he said. "We have two very important objectives right now," he continued. "Congress has an obligation to fund the government. Congress has an obligation to ensure that our elections are secure, fair and free. This vote tonight could have accomplished both. I'm very disappointed that it didn't pass."Earlier in the day, former President Donald Trump demanded that Republicans refuse to fund the government without passing the voter integrity bill."If Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form," he wrote on Truth Social. "A Vote must happen BEFORE the Election, not AFTER the Election when it is too late. BE SMART, REPUBLICANS..."The election bill would require proof of citizenship before voting, but Democrats claim election fraud is already illegal and the new law would only prevent legal voters from turning in their ballot. "In reality, the SAVE Act would make it harder for millions of legal citizens to register to vote," read a statement from Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois. "Americans would not be able to use military IDs or Tribal IDs alone when registering to vote. People who have changed their names, including millions of married women, would not be allowed to use their birth certificates when proving their citizenship."The government will shut down in 13 days on Oct. 1 unless legislators can agree on a funding bill. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The print has been confirmed as Albrecht Dürer's Knight, Death and the Devil (1513). Now, this rare find is headed to auction, where it could fetch tens of thousands of dollars. The post An 11-Year-Old Boy Rescued An Engraving From A Dump — And It Turned Out To Be A Rare Renaissance Print appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Harris, Pelosi, Warren Spread Misinformation About 'Trump Abortion Ban'