The more college football referees know about concussion symptoms, the more confident they are in calling a timeout for a suspected head injury, a new study shows. Researchers surveyed more than 1,300 college football officials during the 2015 season and found that they called an average of one injury timeout for a suspected concussion every…  read on >

Former professional football players are at increased risk for an enlarged aorta, which can lead to a life-threatening bulge in the artery, a new study reports. The aorta, the largest artery in the body, carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The short part of the aorta is called the ascending…  read on >

Strength training needs to be part of every exercise plan, but you don’t have to join a health club to reap its benefits. You can create a state-of-the-art home gym, but an inexpensive approach will work just as well. First, pick out a 10-by-10-foot space where you can exercise without tripping over or bumping into…  read on >

Weight loss from dieting can slow the progression of knee arthritis in overweight people, according to a new study. But losing pounds from exercise alone will not help preserve those aging knees, the researchers found. Obesity is a major risk factor for painful knee osteoarthritis — degeneration of cartilage caused by wear and tear. Weight…  read on >

More younger Americans experience the aches and pains of arthritis than once thought. Roughly 91 million adults had arthritis in 2015. But the most surprising fact was that nearly one-third of sufferers were aged 18 to 64, a new study found. Those estimates are 68 percent higher than previously reported, said lead researcher Dr. David…  read on >

Don’t try saying you’re too or too busy to exercise, especially after that calorie-laden Thanksgiving dinner. Any level of physical activity can reduce seniors’ risk of heart disease, researchers report. The 18-year study included more than 24,000 adults ages 39 to 79. They found a link between physical activity and reduced risk of heart disease…  read on >

Stretchy resistance bands go anywhere and can be used by almost anyone. They’re also as effective as they are inexpensive. But it’s important to use them properly to get all their strength training and coordination benefits. As you stretch a resistance band, you’ll start to feel more and more tension — that’s what forces your…  read on >

What if you could have your cake, eat it, too, and lose weight? A nutritional fad called CICO — short for “Calories In, Calories Out” — promises just that for those looking to shed some pounds. The pitch is straightforward: Eat whatever you want, junk food included, and still shrink your waistline — as long…  read on >

If you’re a member of the baby boom generation, don’t think you’re too old to exercise. On the contrary, it’s especially important for you to stay active, and even more so if you have a condition that threatens mobility, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise can give you more energy, help prevent chronic illnesses…  read on >

Men who compete in triathlons could be putting their hearts at risk, a new study contends. The finding results from an examination of 55 male triathletes who averaged 44 years old, and 30 female triathletes, with an average age of 43. All participated in triathlons, which involve sequential endurance competitions of swimming, cycling and running.…  read on >