Exercise and sports appear to help kids avoid mental health problems as they grow into young adults, a new study says. Young children who participated in sports teams and physical education classes were less likely to develop problems like depression, anxiety and addiction as they aged into teenagers, researchers reported May 13 in the British…  read on >  read on >

Want to protect your aging brain? Get off the couch and get moving, researchers urge. Boosting exercise in middle age might help people prevent Alzheimer’s disease, a new study says. People who increased their physical activity to meet recommended guidelines between ages 45 and 65 had less accumulation of amyloid beta, a toxic protein that…  read on >  read on >

In a sudden about-face, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it won’t slash funding for the Women’s Health Initiative, a major research project focused on preventing disease in older women. The decision follows concerns about a move to end contracts supporting the whole study, which has tracked the health of tens…  read on >  read on >

Breast cancer patients fare better if they continue to exercise during their treatment, and a new program can help women get the activity they need to boost their odds, researchers say. The Comprehensive Oncology Rehabilitation and Exercise (CORE) program assesses women’s physical activity needs based on the stage to which their cancer has progressed, researchers…  read on >  read on >

Children who spend more time playing outdoors or participating in different sports tend to develop better motor skills as they advance through elementary school, a new study says. Even a half-hour of independent outdoor play after a day at childcare makes a difference in kids’ motor skill development, researchers reported in the Journal of Sports…  read on >  read on >

Long brisk walks might lower a person’s risk for heart rhythm problems, a new study says. Folks who stride faster than 4 miles per hour have a 43% lower risk of developing an abnormal heart rhythm, compared with those who amble at a pace of less than 3 miles an hour, researchers reported April 15…  read on >  read on >

Cancer survivors can reduce their ongoing risk of death by sticking to diet and exercise guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society, a new study suggests. Non-smoking survivors of obesity-related cancers had an overall lower risk of death if they adopted the ACS lifestyle recommendations following their treatment, according to findings published April 3 in…  read on >  read on >

A marathon can be a daunting challenge, particularly for folks worried their hearts can’t stand the strain of running 26.2 miles. But these events are safer than ever for those with heart concerns, according to a new study published March 30 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The risk of dying from cardiac…  read on >  read on >