Exercise and brain training, according to scientists, may treat chronic Fatigue Syndrome, commonly known as ME. They say other methods used to combat ME are less successful.

Reports have indicated that over a quarter million people in the UK alone suffer from ME. Scientist are yet to discover the cause of the condition. Symptoms of ME include excessive tiredness, poor concentration and muscle and joint pain.

To carry out the study researchers analysed three methods of treatment and evaluated their effectiveness towards ME treatment. The study used the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exercise and planning activities on 641 ME sufferers.

Results showed that CBT and exercise therapy were the most successful methods of treatment.

CBT was found to return 30 per cent of patients to normal levels of physical functioning and fatigue.

However Action for ME believed that the results of the study were exaggerated and previous results of alternative studies did not reflect the outcomes of this study.

The findings were welcomed by The Association of Young People with ME. It called on the group to repeat the study using children.

In preparation for his role as a struggling boxer in the new boxing movie Fighter, Mark Wahlberg has been putting himself through vigorous workouts in order to gain the physique of a boxer.

Throughout the course of training Wahlberg and his personal trainer Brian Nguyen have continued to develop an intense fitness programme with efficient fat blasting workouts that pile muscle on fast.

Wahlberg’s workouts have utilised several types of training products and fitness equipment, with emphasis on his favourite piece of exercise equipment, the Power Plate.    

Nguyen introduced Wahlberg to the vibration plate with proMOTION technology, which uses cable – resistance and vibration training. The combination of a functional training programme and acceleration training, helped to prepare Wahlberg both mentally and physically for the role.

The Fighter will premier in the U.K in February 2011.

To watch Mark Wahlberg in training for the role click here for a link to the Power Plate website.

Many fitness experts claim that overall fitness is best achieved by integrating cardiovascular exercise such as running, walking, swimming, with strength training which preserves and enhances muscle mass.

One of the best types of weights to use as part of your fitness training is dumbells. As well as being a great exercise aid, they are easy to use, affordable and come in a wide range of sizes and weights.

If you are new to using dumbells then don’t go over board at the start of your weight training, start by using lighter weights at around 1pound – 3pound. Once exercise becomes too easy, start increasing the weight of the dumbells each week.

It is recommended that you do around 10 different weight-training exercises with your dumbells. 8 to 12 repetitions of each exercise will give your body an all-around workout. Two strength sessions are all you need to keep your body in shape.

The advantages of using free weights such as dumbell as part of your workouts are they imitate day-to-day scenarios better than resistance weights or weight machines. You are able to experiment with a range of movements and exercises with dumbells, which helps prepare your body for its day-to-day experiences such as lifting items at work or at home or even carrying the children. 

In the attempt to regain the formula 1 world championship title this year, British Driver Lewis Hamilton will be aided by a top class personal trainer.

McLaren has appointed personal trainer Finn Antti Vierula, to be Hamilton’s full-time trainer for the year. Vierula will determine Hamilton’s fitness programmes for both the gym and at the racetrack to ensure he is in the best possible physical condition for the 2011 season.

Hamilton’s training has already begun with Vierula already putting the young F1 star through his paces, including a training programme at altitude that included snow hiking, cross-country skiing and gym work.

Lewis himself has been regularly updating followers on his fitness progress on social networking site Twitter, posting comments such as “2 put things in perspective, I'm livin n trainin at 2 ,600m - 3, 700m. It’s as tough as it can get. Trained almost every day including xmas n NYE. Burnt around 7-10k calories each week.”

Let’s hope all the hard work pays off.