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 >

Working up a good sweat when you exercise lets you know you’re working hard, but it’s also a sign that you’re losing water — water that needs to be replaced. Water not only regulates your body temperature, it also helps lubricate joints and transport nutrients. If you’re not properly hydrated, you won’t be able to…  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 >

We all know that exercise is good for us, but how much do we need at each stage of life? The U.S. Library of Medicine suggests: Adults should get 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day — in the form of walking, running, biking or swimming. Additionally, they should practice strengthening exercises — such as…  read on >

Teens with friends are active teens, a new study suggests. “You can build beautiful parks and facilities; but if children don’t have friends to play with, these facilities won’t be enough to increase their physical activity,” said study lead author Sarah-Jeanne Salvy. “Peers and friends are the catalyst of the physical environment,” Salvy added. She…  read on >

Here’s to keeping your health on a tight leash: New research suggests that having a dog might boost a single person’s life span. The study tracked more than 3.4 million Swedes, middle-aged and older, for 12 years. All were free of heart disease at the beginning of the study. The researchers reported that dog owners…  read on >