New research has suggested that people who undertake regular fitness training may be exercising their brain as well as their muscles.

The Daily Telegraph reports that research carried out by Gothenburg University in Sweden has discovered that men who are fitter are more likely to perform well in mental tests.

In a study of over one million young men, the results appear to confirm suggestions that physical exercise and fitness training can strongly affect the brain's ability to adapt to a new situation, known as brain 'plasticity'.

Dr Maria Aberg, who undertook the research, told the newspaper: "These results support the notion promoting physical exercise could serve as a public health strategy to optimise educational achievement."

She continued: "Our data demonstrate that cardiovascular fitness and cognitive performance at age 18 are positively associated."

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has reported the case of a woman who claims to have cured herself of diabetes thanks to a strict fitness training regime.

Janet Ginnings told the newspaper how she transformed herself from a bloated 13 stones, who suffered from dizziness and high blood pressure, into a much leaner version of herself who is now far fitter and healthier thanks to her fitness training programme.