Athletes have a much higher risk of the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation than non-athletes, and younger athletes have a higher risk than older athletes, according to a new report from Britain. Atrial fibrillation (a-fib) is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that can impede blood flow. A-fib can increase the risk of stroke, heart… read on > read on >
Children tend to sleep less as they approach early adolescence, perhaps because of the pressures of homework and the presence of social media. Now, new research suggests that loss of precious slumber is not inevitable. The researchers found that a school-based program in mindfulness training — which involves being present in the moment, deep breathing… read on > read on >
A quick daily “workout” for the breathing muscles may help people lower their blood pressure to a similar degree as exercise or even medication, a small study suggests. The technique is called inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST), and it involves using a device that provides resistance as the user inhales — essentially working out the… read on > read on >
Sunscreen isn’t just for pool gatherings and beach outings: Using sunscreen every day could reduce your risk of skin cancer, experts say. Daily use of at least an SPF 15 sunscreen can lower your risk of melanoma — the deadliest type of skin cancer — by 50%, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. If you… read on > read on >
Wearing a mask while you exercise may be uncomfortable, but a new study should reassure gym-goers that it poses no actual health risks. “What we found was, that it is safe to run at peak exercise in both an N95 mask and a cloth face mask,” said researcher Dr. Matthew Kampert, of the Cleveland Clinic.… read on > read on >
Poor quality sleep can shave years off your life, and these effects may be magnified if you don’t get enough physical activity. That’s the bad news. The good news is that getting more exercise may help counter some of the health risks known to accompany poor quality sleep, new research shows. Folks who scored low… read on > read on >
Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, but one expert says it may be possible to reduce the risks of developing the disease with healthy lifestyle changes. There are two different types of Alzheimer’s. Early-onset typically affects patients before age 65. Late-onset affects older adults. “Early-onset dementia often is linked to genetics and can run in families,”… read on > read on >
As the pandemic eases and children flock to playgrounds this summer, parents need to make sure their kids are safe, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says. “After a challenging school year and months of being socially distanced and kept apart from their friends, children are eager to get outside and play,” said AAOS… read on > read on >
The key to pushing through mental fatigue while running might be adding some earbuds to your workout gear. U.K. researchers worked with 18 fitness enthusiasts to determine the impact of music on running performance. They found that running to self-selected tunes improved runners’ performance when mentally fatigued during two separate tests. “Mental fatigue is a… read on > read on >
Cost and lack of time are among the reasons parents don’t enroll their kids in swimming lessons, a new survey finds. “Swimming is one of the most important life-saving skills that children and adults should master. Whether for fun or for exercise, swimming will serve them well for the rest of their lives, and it’s… read on > read on >
