Wearing a bike helmet can save the life of your young child or teenager, but it needs to fit well to really do its job. A well-fitting bike helmet significantly reduces the odds of serious head injury or death due to a bicycle, scooter or skateboard accident, experts say. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers some…  read on >  read on >

Less than 7% of U.S. adults are in good cardiometabolic shape, and new research warns the trend is only getting worse. Cardiometabolic health is an umbrella term that includes blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol, weight and/or the presence of heart disease. “While we know that cardiometabolic health among Americans is a significant problem, we…  read on >  read on >

When the early days of the pandemic prompted social distancing measures and gym closures, people with certain disabilities had a much harder time getting exercise and their mental health suffered, new research shows. Researchers studying those impacts surveyed more than 950 people with diverse disabilities. They identified four categories of individuals within the disability community…  read on >  read on >

While chronic stress is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke, most cat and dog owners say pets help them chill out and stay active. A new American Heart Association (AHA) survey of 1,000 pet owners found 95% relying on their animal companions for stress relief. About 7 in 10 said they’d rather…  read on >  read on >

Keeping your body well-fueled and hydrated is a must during outdoor summer sports and exercise, a nutrition expert says. “For summer workouts, it’s important to make sure that adequate carbohydrates, fluids and electrolytes are consumed,” said sports dietitian Kristen Chang, assistant director of the master’s program in nutrition and dietetics at Virginia Tech University. “You…  read on >  read on >

Latin dance classes may be a great workout and social outlet, but new research suggests that learning the intricate steps of the salsa, samba and merengue may also improve your memory. In the study, a Latin dance program was offered to more than 300 Spanish speakers over four years at 12 different sites in Chicago.…  read on >  read on >