Taking the stairs rather than an elevator. Raking leaves. Toting heavy grocery bags. Pushing a vacuum. Playing hard with your kids or pets. Short bursts of vigorous physical activity during everyday events like these — most lasting less than a minute — can help lower cancer risk even in people who don’t like to exercise, a new study finds. People who got around 3.5 minutes of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) each day reduced their overall cancer risk by about 18%, said researcher Emmanuel Stamatakis, a professor of physical activity, lifestyle and population health at the University of Sydney in Australia. More minutes produced even more cancer protection, particularly for cancers already known to respond well to physical activity. “For people who find it hard to initiate or adhere to an exercise program, our study suggests that doing a few short bursts of intense activity as the day goes by may be beneficial for long-term health,” Stamatakis said. The study, published online July 27 in JAMA Oncology, showed that non-exercisers can still benefit from getting off the couch throughout the day, said Erika Rees-Punia, a senior principal scientist of epidemiology and behavioral research with the American Cancer Society. “We often say that something is better than nothing in terms of physical activity, and this is really more evidence for that,” Rees-Punia said. “It turns…  read on >  read on >

Bronny James, son of basketball superstar LeBron James, was released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Thursday, just three days after the 18-year-old suffered cardiac arrest during a college basketball practice. Consulting cardiologist Dr. Merije Chukumerije said in a statement that James was “successfully treated for a sudden cardiac arrest.” Chukumerije credited “the swift and effective response by the USC athletics’ medical staff” after the incident Monday at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center, where the incoming freshman guard was participating in basketball practice.” Bronny James arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center conscious, neurologically intact and stable, Chukumerije said. “Mr. James was cared for promptly by highly trained staff and has been discharged home, where he is resting. Although his workup will be ongoing, we are hopeful for his continued progress and are encouraged by his response, resilience, and his family and community support,” Chukumerije said. Meanwhile, in a message posted on social media, LeBron James said his family is “safe and healthy.” “I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers,” LeBron James wrote. “We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us!”…  read on >  read on >

Wearable devices like smartwatches continually track physical activity, urging folks to take more daily steps for their health. Now, a new study suggests this gentle technological nagging could be of great benefit to people whose hearts are giving out. Heart failure patients who get between 1,000 and 5,000 steps a day have significantly improved symptoms and fewer physical limitations than those who walk less, according to researchers. They also found that if heart patients increase their step counts, they appear to experience a clinically important improvement in symptom control and physical function. These results show the potential usefulness of wearable devices in helping people manage heart failure, said senior researcher Dr. Brahmajee Nallamothu, a professor of cardiology at the University of Michigan Medical School. “I can imagine situations where these devices could potentially help us deliver advice or recommendations,” Nallamothu said. “By tracking how many steps a patient has taken, we might be able to use that information and intervene a little bit to say, you haven’t been moving as much this week as you were the week before. There might be lots of things going on in your life, but it’s really nice outside. Maybe today or tomorrow is a good day for a walk.” Heart failure occurs when the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump sufficient blood out to the body.…  read on >  read on >

The 18-year-old son of basketball superstar LeBron James suffered cardiac arrest during a workout Monday at the University of Southern California. Bronny James, an incoming USC freshman, was listed in stable condition Tuesday morning after a brief stay in intensive care, a family spokesperson said in a statement. “Yesterday, while practicing, Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” the spokesperson said. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU.” TMZ reported that his condition was considered a Code 3 — meaning ambulance lights and sirens — and he was transported to the hospital by ambulance at 9:26 a.m. Monday. Cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. It is an “electrical” problem, and different from a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. The Los Angeles Times reported that this was the second time in about a year that the USC medical staff has responded to a men’s basketball player suffering cardiac arrest during practice. Center Vince Iwuchukwu collapsed at a practice last July and was revived by athletic trainers. Iwuchukwu returned to the basketball court six months later. James, a four-star recruit, was a standout in the McDonald’s All-American Game in March. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals in his…  read on >  read on >

Eight healthy habits could add years to your life. A new study of more than 700,000 U.S. veterans breaks down the habits that when adopted by middle age, can help someone live substantially longer than folks who don’t have these habits. These are the big eight: Be physically active. Don’t smoke. Don’t get addicted to opioids. Don’t binge-drink on a regular basis. Eat a healthy diet. Manage stress. Practice good sleep habits. Maintain positive social relationships. The study found that men with all those habits at age 40 could live an average of 24 years longer than men who have none of them. Women could gain an additional 21 years compared to their peers who have none of these habits. The findings will be presented Monday at a meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, in Boston. “We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one, two, three or all eight lifestyle factors,” said study presenter Xuan-Mai Nguyen, a health science specialist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine in Urbana, Ill. “Our research findings suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for both public health and personal wellness. The earlier the better, but even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s or 60s, it…  read on >  read on >

Competitive sports can be a lot of fun for kids and teens, but starting a new season requires some planning. Nemours TeensHealth offers some suggestions for kids and teens who are taking up a new sport or beginning a new season. Start by getting into shape. That will make it easier when you begin your sport. You can do this by writing down an exercise plan. Ask your coach, gym teacher or trainer for workout ideas. If you can’t get to the gym, apps and online workouts offer options for exercising at home. Write down your goals for the week and your workout plans. If you schedule specific workout times, it will help you stay motivated and stick to your exercise plan. Make a note of a workout you particularly liked so you can repeat it another week. Set realistic goals. While this can include general goals like making the team or getting in shape, smaller, specific goals are easier to achieve and can help you build toward your bigger goal. Write down those goals and discuss them with a parent or coach. Set new goals once you reach those on your list. Gear up. If you’re returning to your sport, make sure your equipment still fits. If you’re new to a sport, ask your coach what you’ll need. Secondhand or borrowed gear can save…  read on >  read on >

Every week, a group of dancers meets in Chicago. Together, they follow a series of movements under the guidance of an instructor. They flex, and reach, and point as Carly Liegel, community engagement program coordinator for the Joffrey Ballet, leads them through a series of movements with their arms and then their legs. But these aren’t professionals, and they aren’t your average dancers. Each one has Parkinson’s disease, a progressive brain disorder with no known cure that can cause uncontrollable movements and balance issues. In conjunction with Northwestern Medicine, the Joffrey Ballet started offering “Dancing with Parkinson’s” this summer, exploring ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance, as well as a little improvisation, to tunes played live by a pianist. The five-week program has had a surge of interest, so much so that Northwestern is planning another session. “We’ve never had a program that filled up as quickly as this one in the 10 years that I’ve been here,” said Dr. Danny Bega, movement disorders specialist at Northwestern. Ginger Hall, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years ago, takes the classes. She knows it’s important to stay active to manage her symptoms. “I do believe that the magic bullet for Parkinson’s is exercise. Even though you can’t gain what you’ve lost, you can keep Parkinson’s at bay,” Hall said in a Northwestern news release. “Post-COVID,…  read on >  read on >

As older people start to lose some of their mental abilities, regular exercise might slow the progression to dementia, a new study indicates. With five months of physical activity, the mental ability of seniors with so-called mild cognitive impairment improved significantly, researchers in Canada report. They also found that computerized training to improve memory added to the benefits of exercise. But taking vitamin D supplements had no effect on tests of thinking and memory. “There is no cure for dementia, but lifestyle choices can help prevent it and partly counteract the impact of age and chronic diseases on brain health,” said study co-author Louis Bherer. He’s a neuropsychologist and senior scientist and director of EPIC Center at the Montreal Heart Institute. Mild cognitive impairment is the intermediate state between normal brain aging and early dementia, the study authors noted. Research has shown this is the optimal time to implement preventive strategies and early treatment. For the study, Bherer and his colleagues randomly assigned 175 men and women, average age 73, to exercise only three times a week; or to exercise plus vitamin D supplements or computerized cognitive training, or both for 20 weeks. The vitamin D dose was 10,000 IU three times a week. The study found that 20 weeks of aerobic and resistance exercise along with computerized cognitive training, which works to improve memory…  read on >  read on >

If your child is in sports camp this summer, you’ll want them to have fun and stay safe. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) offers some tips on dealing with existing medical conditions, staying hydrated and heat safe, avoiding weather dangers and protecting skin from the sun. “Just as parents don’t drop off their children at a pool without a lifeguard, they shouldn’t send young athletes to camp without this vital information,” said Scott Sailor, former president of NATA, in an association news release. Before camp, make sure your child has had a physical exam and that you’ve completed any questionnaires about existing medical conditions and medications, NATA recommends. If your child takes medication regularly, find out who will be in charge of administering it. Also, double check that the medication will not cause adverse side effects from sun exposure or strenuous exercise. Ask whether the camp has medical insurance in case of an injury, illness or accident, NATA recommends. If your child’s sport requires particular equipment, check it for proper fit and condition. Make sure new shoes and equipment are broken in. Your child should take along a water bottle to stay hydrated during activities and in the dorm at night during sleep-away camp. Pack towels and flip flops for showers. Remind your child not to share water bottles and towels to prevent spreading…  read on >  read on >

It doesn’t matter if you exercise every day or squeeze it all into the weekend. If you do the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week, you’ll get heart benefits, a new study finds. Both regimens protect you from atrial fibrillation (a-fib), heart attack, heart failure and stroke, compared with inactivity, researchers reported in the July 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. “Our study suggests that it’s the volume of activity, rather than the pattern, that matters most in terms of cardiovascular health,” said lead researcher Dr. Shaan Khurshid, a research fellow in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Efforts to increase physical activity, whether they’re spread out evenly or concentrated within a day or two each week, result in similar protective effects on several cardiovascular outcomes and overall cardiovascular health, he said. “I think these findings should be encouraging, counter to the notion some people may feel that if they can only exercise, you know, once or twice a week they shouldn’t do it at all, or not expect to have the benefit,” Khurshid said. This is good news for the legions of so-called weekend warriors. In this study of nearly 90,000 British adults, half of active individuals accrued most of their exercise in one to two days. The study highlights the flexibility with which…  read on >  read on >