April 9, 2020

AHA News: Eat Healthy, Move Your Body During Pandemic

Thursday, April 2, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- Move over, "Freshman 15." There's a new belt-busting threat fueled by the coronavirus pandemic cramming Americans into their homes, dangerously close to their snacks, suds, sodas, sofas and streaming videos.

Beware gaining "the COVID-19."

April 9, 2020

AHA News: Amid Coronavirus Crisis, Exercise Caution When Exercising Outdoors

FRIDAY, April 3, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- Even as government officials warn us to "stay home, stay safe" during the coronavirus pandemic, people are flocking to parks, trails and sidewalks to walk and bike away their cabin fever.

That might seem like a total contradiction. But according to health experts, it can be a healthy choice – as long as you exercise caution while exercising outdoors.

March 30, 2020

How Many Steps Per Day to Lengthen Your Life?

TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 -- For years, health experts have urged us to get off the couch and get moving. Now a new U.S. government study shows how much we stand to gain.

The study, of more 4,800 Americans age 40 and up, found a clear pattern: The more steps people took each day, the less likely they were to die over the next 10 years.

March 11, 2020

For Tracking Steps, Patients Stick With Phones, Not Wearable Devices: Study

MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2020 -- Smartphones appear to be more effective than wearable fitness devices in helping doctors track patients' physical activity, researchers say.

Their new study included 500 patients who joined activity tracking programs at two Philadelphia hospitals. Half used a smartphone app to track their daily steps after leaving the hospital. The other half used a wearable device.

March 9, 2020

Variety is Key for the Fittest Americans

MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2020 -- Very fit American adults enjoy a wider range of physical activities than those who are less active, a new study finds.

The findings could help point to ways to boost physical activity in adults, according to the researchers.

March 9, 2020

Years of Endurance Exercise May Change Heart Structure

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2020 -- Triathlons, rowing, mountaineering, cross-country skiing: Tough exercise like this done over decades appears to reshape the heart, new research shows.

In older adults, long-term endurance exercise seems tied to an enlargement of the aorta -- the large artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. But whether that change is beneficial or harmful remains unclear, U.S. researchers said.