Exercise is good for your body and your mind, experts say. Scientists have found that areas of the brain that control memory and planning and organizing skills tend to get stronger with exercise, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. The agency says dancing is a particularly good form of exercise, since it… read on >
Kids take their cues from mom and dad, so it only makes sense to participate with them when teaching them the merits of exercise. Couch potato kids are a real concern. The College of New Jersey exercise science professor Avery Faigenbaum defined the term exercise-deficit disorder — or EDD — to draw attention to our… read on >
If you are middle aged and out of shape, it isn’t too late to get active and improve your health, the American Heart Association says. A study in the journal Circulation showed that heart stiffness — a potential precursor to heart failure — decreased for middle-aged men who engaged in two years of the right… read on >
Feel yourself being pulled in a million directions and losing track of what’s really important? The meditative practice called mindfulness can help you get centered and re-focus on what’s meaningful to you. And it doesn’t take time that’s already in short supply on your busy schedule. You can reap the benefits in less time than… read on >
Young football players who suffer repeated head blows — but not concussions — may not sustain brain damage, a new study suggests. For the study, researchers followed 112 football players, aged 9 to 18, during the 2016 season. “We expected repetitive impacts to correlate with worsening neurocognitive [brain] function, but we found that sub-concussive head… read on >
Developing lean muscle mass is important for everyone — it can keep you active and independent throughout your life. But to maximize the benefits of strength training, make sure you’re not making these common mistakes. Mistake number 1: Letting momentum drive your workout. If you power through repetitions at a rapid clip, chances are that… read on >
Because of the medications they take, losing weight can be difficult for people with diabetes. Diabetes medications are a major roadblock to weight loss, according to a paper from the American Association of Diabetes Educators. “Diabetes medications are vital in helping manage blood sugar, so you shouldn’t stop taking them. Instead, ask (your doctor) about… read on >
Want to add a new type of challenge to your exercise routine? Consider working out with a medicine ball, an inexpensive fitness tool that’s exploding in popularity. This weighted ball helps you develop strength, endurance and even flexibility — and many exercises are done with a partner, adding a fun dimension to workouts. Medicine balls… read on >
There’s nothing like the convenience of working out at home or going for a walk on your schedule. But taking classes at a gym or fitness center could hold some motivational magic for you. And you don’t have to give up your home gym or on-your-own workouts. Think of adding a gym routine as a… read on >
Lack of motivation, time, energy, and the costs associated with many workout programs may limit your desire to exercise more. The National Institute on Aging suggests how to overcome these potential obstacles: Exercise first thing in the morning. If you can’t squeeze in 30 minutes for physical activity, consider three 10-minute spurts. Vary your regimen… read on >
