American Physiological Society

How does your body help you jump higher?

Higher hops require more than just muscle power—they also rely on rapid communication between your muscles and nervous system.

New research shows that as people hop higher, their calf muscles work harder and spinal reflexes become more active, especially around the moment the feet contact the ground.

Researchers also found that these reflex responses change throughout the hopping cycle and are dialed down during landing, likely helping the body absorb impact safely.

Read more in the Journal of Neurophysiology: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00264.2025
📷: iStock

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed sweeping changes to how federal research grants are awarded and managed. These changes would affect every scientist who receives federal funding.

APS has submitted a formal letter to OMB requesting an extension of the comment period and is developing formal comments for submission before the July 13 deadline. Read more about what the rule entails, and how you can add your comment: https://ow.ly/7ju150Z7J5y

📷: iStock

June’s American Physiological Society Publications “best of the best” are ready to read for free. This month’s selections tackle topics such as:
➡️Muscle loss after chemo for breast cancer.
➡️Obesity in parents may affect offspring’s brain health.
➡️Heat exercise training could substitute for altitude exposure.

Check out the full list: https://ow.ly/Vtsl50Z6Pu8

📷: iStock

There’s still time to help shape the 2027 American Physiology Summit.

Submit your Foundational Science Session ideas by June 5 and play a role in building next year’s program: https://ow.ly/rmZx50YV7FK

Comparative physiologists: There's still time to submit your work to September's Comparative Physiology conference.

We're taking late-breaking abstract submissions through July 20. Submit yours and join us in Orlando, Sept. 17–20!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/Rwb450Z6Fho

Kidney researchers: Have you already registered for "Kidney Camp" (officially known as Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease)?

We're counting down the days until we meet at the The Abbey Resort in Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, but there's still plenty of time to make plans!

Register, get a sneak peek at the program and take note of travel info: https://www.physiology.org/kidneycamp2026

Help shape the future of the 2027 American Physiology Summit! What scientific topics would you like to see? Submit your Foundational Science Session ideas by June 5.

Share your ideas: https://www.physiology.org/summitproposals

Want more member photos and stories from the American Physiology Summit? You betcha! 👍

This week on the I Spy Physiology blog, Yoko Wang talks about her experience at the Career Day Workshop, presenting her poster and attending scientific sessions, as well as fun in the PhysioHub and the Neural Control & Autonomic Regulation Section banquet and more.

Check out Wang's stories and photos:

The 2026 American Physiology Summit in Minneapolis: You Betcha! - I Spy Physiology Blog Spring is always the season I am waiting for. Not only for the sunshine and blooms, but also for the annual American Physiology Summit! This year’s Summit took place in Minneapolis, the largest city in the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota. More than 2,500 trainees, scientists and educators gathered...

Does a sweat-soaked summer workout mean you worked harder? Not necessarily.

Sweating more doesn’t automatically mean your workout was more intense or more effective—it’s simply your body’s cooling system at work.

APS member explains that as your body adapts to exercising in the heat, it becomes more efficient at sweating. You may start sweating earlier during a workout, and sweat may spread across more of your body to help cool you more effectively. Heat acclimation and improved aerobic fitness can help drive these changes over time.

The takeaway: Sweat isn’t a scorecard for workout quality. Paying attention to your effort level and staying hydrated are better ways to keep your workouts safe and effective.

Read more in The New York Times: https://ow.ly/jWTg50Z2h4L
📷: iStock