If you’re in your early 60s, becoming more active may reduce your risk of heart disease, researchers report. That’s especially true for women, they added. “The 60 to 64 age range represents an important transition between work and retirement, when lifestyle behaviors tend to change. It may, therefore, be an opportunity to promote increased physical…  read on >

Anyone — especially a young child — can drown in only a few inches of water. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it doesn’t recommend any swim instruction for kids under the age of 1. And even after a child learns how to swim, the child should be supervised by a parent or guardian (preferably…  read on >

Ace hitters like Barry Bonds and Derek Jeter probably can confirm this: Baseball players with faster hand-eye coordination are better batters, a new study finds. This is especially true when it comes to measures of “plate discipline,” like drawing walks and swinging at pitches in the strike zone, researchers said. “Batters with better eye-hand visual…  read on >

Hopefully, you enjoy exercising and don’t watch the clock, impatient for it to be over. But it’s important to know how much exercise you’re getting so you can reap all its health rewards. Between the ages of 18 and 64, barring any medical restrictions, the weekly goal is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio…  read on >

Sunscreen washing off swimmers may pose a threat to fish and other aquatic life, a new study suggests. Ultraviolet (UV) filters have been added to many personal care products, including sunscreens, moisturizers and makeup. And swimmers, in particular, are advised to reapply sunscreen often or risk a painful and potentially harmful sunburn. But scientists have…  read on >

When you’re out having fun in the sun this summer, remember to take steps to prevent sunburn. Along with being painful, sunburns can cause lasting damage that can lead to a number of skin problems, including skin cancer, warned Dr. Suzanne Olbricht, chief of dermatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “The sun’s…  read on >

Healthy adults should get 150 minutes of moderate exercise or more each week, the American Heart Association suggests. Regular exercise can help improve your quality of life, the AHA says, and also may: Help relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger. Reduce your risk for developing chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disease. Improve blood cholesterol…  read on >

Home trampolines may be a fun way to get exercise, but they’re not without dangers, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Despite the academy’s warnings that home trampolines could lead to injuries from falls and attempted acrobatics, the group notes the devices continue to sell. The academy says it supports recent efforts to get manufacturers…  read on >

Continually progressing keeps exercise interesting and further increases your fitness level. Here are five fun ideas to keep challenging yourself. Identify an area of weakness, like a muscle group you want to tone or a fitness skill you’d like to have. You might assess your level of each of the key components of fitness —…  read on >

Getting enough daily exercise can help prevent obesity, which increases a person’s risk of developing cancer, the U.S. National Cancer Institute says. The institute mentions how physical activity can lower your risk of developing cancer: Exercise contributes to lower levels of hormones, such as insulin and estrogen, which have been associated with cancer development and…  read on >