Fitness, Activity Boosts Kids' Mental Health, Too

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• October 18, 2024
• Full Page

Kids with good physical fitness are more likely to grow into teens with better mental health and brain function, a new study has found.

Children who performed better at shuttle sprints scored better on cognitive tests as teenagers, researchers found.

In addition, b...

Being a 'Weekend Warrior' Can Cut Your Odds for 200 Diseases

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• September 26, 2024
• Full Page

There’s good news for folks who struggle to fit regular exercise into their busy workweek.

“Weekend warrior” workouts are just as beneficial a...

Vaping Could Make Young Adults Physically Weaker

• Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
• September 9, 2024
• Full Page

In exercise bike tests, twentysomethings who'd been vaping for at least two years had much lower exercise capacity than those who didn't, and the losses were equal to those of folks who'd spent a similar amount of time smoking.

The vaping young adults "found it harder to...

Is There a Peak Performance Age for Olympians?

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• July 25, 2024
• Full Page

The Olympics are often described as a rare, once-in-a-lifetime shot at international sports glory.

That may be more true for Olympic track and field competitors than other athletes, a new study reports.

There appears to be a peak performance age for track and field...

Four in 10 Cancer Cases, Nearly Half of Cancer Deaths Linked to Lifestyle

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• July 12, 2024
• Full Page

Nearly half of cancer deaths and 4 of 10 cases of cancer are linked to a person's lifestyle, a new study says.

Cigarette smoking remains the biggest cancer risk, contributing to 30% of cancer deaths and 20% of cancer cases, results show.

But excess body weight, dri...

Getting Your Exercise in Nature May Bring Added Benefits

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• June 17, 2024
• Full Page

Exercising in natural surroundings -- a jog through a park, a bicycle ride along a trail -- could be more beneficial than working out indoors, a new review suggests.<...

Even Couch Potatoes Reap Health Reward From 10,000 Steps Per Day

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• March 6, 2024
• Full Page

The more steps a person can fit into their day, the lower their risk of early death and heart disease, regardless of how much a couch potato they are otherwise, a new study shows.

People who are sedentary for more than 11 hours a day gain the same health benefits from wa...

Neighborhood Gyms Can Be a Lifeline for Stroke Survivors

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 2, 2024
• Full Page

Exercise is crucial to recovering from a stroke, helping victims regain lost physical and mental function.

And stroke survivors are more likely to remain physically active -- or even exercise more than before -- if they have access to a neighborhood rec center or gym, a ...

Just a Small Boost in Fitness Cuts Men's Prostate Cancer Risk

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• January 31, 2024
• Full Page

Even small increases in a man's cardio fitness can significantly reduce his risk of developing prostate cancer, researchers report.

An annual increase in aerobic fitness of 3% or more is linked to a 35% lower risk of prostate cancer, according to a report published Jan. ...

Walking, Biking to Work Lowers Inflammation That Could Trigger Disease

• Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
• January 17, 2024
• Full Page

Using two feet or two wheels to get back and forth to work each day could reduce the inflammation that leads to cancer, heart disease and diabetes, new research shows.

So-called "active commuting" -- walking or biking to work -- for at least 45 minutes daily lowered leve...

Even a Little Physical Activity Can Offset a Day Spent Sitting

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• October 25, 2023
• Full Page

Even a little exercise can counter the harms of sitting all day, a new study suggests.

Prolonged sitting raises your odds for an early death, but just 20 to 25 minutes of physical activity a day may offset that risk, researchers found.

"If people, for any reason, a...

Fitter Folks Need Fewer Psychiatric Meds, Study Finds

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• September 6, 2023
• Full Page

Being fit doesn't just help your body -- it also helps your mind, a new study reports.

People in better physical condition appear to have less need for drugs to treat mood disorders, Norwegian researchers have found.

"We find that people who are in better shape fil...

Stay Fit to Avoid A-Fib and Stroke

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• August 22, 2023
• Full Page

People can help reduce their odds of developing atrial fibrillation or stroke through one piece of standard medical advice: stay fit.

According to a new study in 15,000 people, physical fitness was found to have a lower likelihood of these conditions. The findings will b...

Fitness Routine Helps First Lady Jill Biden Build 'Inner Strength'

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• August 2, 2023
• Full Page

First Lady Jill Biden gains at least some of her inner strength by working on her physical strength.

Featured in the September issue of Women's Health magazine, Biden, 72, talks about waking at 5:45 a.m. most days to fit in a workout.

That includes jogging...

As the Popularity of Pickleball Soars, So Do Related Injuries, Poll Finds

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• July 12, 2023
• Full Page

Pickleball is a hot trend and it's getting folks exercising who haven't been so active in a long time.

It's also racking up injuries -- both overuse type and acute traumas -- often in those aged 50 and up.

A new poll suggests these players are forgoing care when th...

Dancing Your Way to Better Health

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• July 8, 2023
• Full Page

Someone who wants to work out, socialize and feel the beat at the same time may want to put on their dancing shoes.

Dancing has many health benefits, according to a doctor from the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Fla., who is a competitive ballroom dance...

Staying Fit Lowers a Man's Cancer Risk, Study Confirms

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• July 3, 2023
• Full Page

A man's cardio fitness might influence whether he'll develop -- or survive -- three of the most common cancers in males, a new Swedish study reports.

Higher levels of cardio fitness are associated with a significantly lower risk of developing colon and lung cancers, rese...

Ready, Set, Go!  How to Start Running to Stay Fit

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• February 14, 2023
• Full Page

Running is a fantastic workout. It burns fat, improves heart function and strengthens bones.

Yet, that first step out the door in a new pair of running shoes might seem intimidating. It can also cause injury if you're not properly prepared.

That's why it's helpfu...

Step Up! Here's How to Start a Healthy Walking Habit

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• January 30, 2023
• Full Page

Starting a walking routine is simple because it requires so little: comfortable, supportive walking shoes and your own two feet.

Unlike gym workouts, the initial expense is small and the schedule is flexible.

"Walking's a great way to work out because we ca...

What Exercise 'Snack' Is Best for Your Health?

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• January 12, 2023
• Full Page

Millions of adults spend too much time at a desk or in front of a screen, and experts have long advised them to sit less, move more.

But if lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar and a mood boost are the goals, what's the bare minimum of movement that will get the job d...

Is Exercise Getting Tougher for You? Long COVID Might Be to Blame

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• October 17, 2022
• Full Page

After COVID-19, resuming regular exercise may be harder, and new research suggests this may be one more symptom of long COVID.

For the study, the researchers ...

Getting Kids Walking, Biking to School Can Lead to Long-Term Fitness

• By Sydney Murphy HealthDay Reporter
• September 9, 2022
• Full Page

Kids who walk, skateboard or ride their bikes to school when they are young are more likely to keep it up as they get older, reaping the health benefits, recent research suggests.

"The walk to school is a wonderful moment in the day that provides children a glimpse of li...

'Healthier' Option? Fit Teens Are More Likely to Vape

• By Sydney Murphy HealthDay Reporter
• August 31, 2022
• Full Page

It might seem incongruous, but new research suggests that teens who engage in more physical activity may