Sports-medicine research has called into question the value of warm-ups and cool-downs, and cast doubt on whether they really prevent muscle soreness. However, there are still other benefits to these pre- and post-workout steps, and to stretching after both. But it’s important to get the sequence right. A warm-up preps your body for exercise by… read on >
Some simple steps can reduce danger when you venture into the great outdoors, an expert says. “Knowing your limits, not trying to do too much, knowing where you’re going and what you might encounter there and being aware of the environment you’re in are the best ways to avoid problems outdoors,” said Dr. Henderson McGinnis,… read on >
Team sports aren’t just for kids. They offer adults a wealth of benefits, including a greater feeling of well-being, reduced stress and a strong sense of community. You have many options for finding an adult club or team-based sport in your area. Your local park and rec department or “Y” might sponsor such activities. The… read on >
U.S. Navy veteran Lisa Conway was having trouble coping with mobility issues related to two newly diagnosed autoimmune diseases when her therapist suggested equine-assisted therapy. “I rode horses mainly as a youngster and a couple of times as an adult. When my therapist suggested equine therapy, I thought, ‘Are you kidding me? How am I… read on >
Staying hydrated is a mantra not only when exercising, but throughout the day for optimal health. Yet it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. In recent years, a number of athletes have died from a condition called exercise-associated hyponatremia, or EAH, which results from overwhelming the kidneys with excess fluid and upsetting… read on >
Researchers have found that having friends who gain weight — especially friends of the same gender — raises your chance of becoming overweight by more than 50 percent. That’s far more than if your spouse gains weight. But they’ve also found that the same type of social influence can help you lose weight. In fact,… read on >
Weak grip strength in children may point to a higher risk of such health problems as diabetes and heart disease, new research suggests. In a new study that followed children from 4th grade through 5th grade, a grip-strength test was given to the students at the start of the study. The researchers said that nearly… read on >
Planning ahead is the key to staying healthy and safe when you go hiking or camping, experts say. “‘Be prepared’ is the Boy Scout motto, and it is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and make the most of any hiking or camping trip,” said Dr. Jonathan Adams, a family medicine physician with… read on >
Losing weight about 6 months after giving birth lowers a woman’s risk of being overweight in the future. The best strategy to get back to pre-baby weight is a combination of diet and exercise, rather than diet alone. That’s because exercise boosts heart health and helps preserve muscle when you’re limiting calorie intake. It also… read on >
A pair of new studies points towards two potential paths to the fountain of youth. When older adults feel more control of their lives and get more exercise, they feel younger — and that improves their thinking, overall quality of life and longevity, the studies say. One study included 116 older adults (ages 60 to… read on >
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