Fitness buffs who push themselves to the limit during workouts might slightly increase their risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study suggests. The same may hold true for working stiffs whose jobs place extreme physical demands upon them, the European researchers said. But the study did not prove that extreme exercise actually… read on >
Yoga can make you flexible and strong, but it can also hurt you if not practiced correctly, an orthopedic expert warns. Improper technique can lead to serious muscle damage, including strain and overstretching of the neck, shoulders, spine, legs and knees, according to Dr. Brett Freedman. He is an orthopedic spine and trauma surgeon, and… read on >
Deep breathing is a great stress reliever, and the technique called mindfulness meditation is a helpful way to use breathing to get more in touch with your inner self. People who meditate say they feel more positive, and have more energy and better concentration. There’s more than one way to tap meditation’s benefits — through… read on >
Is the “e” word — exercise — a downer for you? If so, you need look no further than everyday chores to find new ways to ramp up your workout level and burn more calories. Remember, if you’re moving you’re burning calories — and the movement doesn’t have to be on a treadmill or even… read on >
Yoga at school might work wonders for the younger set, new research suggests. In the study, 52 third-graders who had symptoms of anxiety were randomly assigned to take part in either yoga/mindfulness sessions for eight weeks, or to a control group that received usual care such as counseling and other activities from a school social… read on >
Is arthritis pain getting in the way of your fitness plans? That need not be the case. In fact, physical activity can be vital to your continued mobility. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that affects about 27 million Americans — most often in the knees and hips, but also in the lower back and neck.… read on >
Staying physically fit can help ward off heart trouble, even if your genetics put you at higher risk for clogged arteries, a new, large study suggests. The researchers looked at nearly 500,000 middle-aged and older adults and found those with higher fitness levels were less likely to develop heart disease over six years. And that… read on >
People struggling with COPD might find some relief in an ancient art. The centuries-old practice of tai chi appears to boost the exercise capabilities and the quality of life of those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study from Chinese and British researchers suggests. COPD is a chronic, debilitating and largely incurable form of… read on >
Young baseball pitchers are at risk for overuse injuries, but there are ways to reduce that risk, a sports medicine expert says. “Pitching year-round, inadequate rest between seasons and pitching in multiple leagues all have been linked to an increase in elbow and arm injuries,” said Dr. Eric Makhni. He’s a physician and surgeon at… read on >
When it comes to lowering high blood pressure, exercising is pretty much the last thing people want to do, a new survey shows. Much more preferable was popping a pill or sipping a cup of tea every day, the poll of 1,400 people found. The Yale researchers asked what treatment or intervention appealed the most,… read on >
