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 on the White House driveway, bicycle rides when getting away to the family beach home in Delaware and spin classes while she’s traveling. Biden also rides a Peloton bike and takes barre classes. “I need to be with myself and find inner strength so I can be strong for everyone else,” Biden said in the Women’s Health interview. Some of Biden’s workouts are at SoulCycle studios in Washington, D.C., but she also squeezes in workouts while traveling. Those workouts have included taking a spin class with Akshata Murty, the wife of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during her May trip to London for King Charles III’s coronation, the Associated Press reported. According to the AP, during a trip to the White House a month later, Sunak told President Joe Biden that “I gather our wives have even started to take spin classes together.” Jill Biden has always exercised, starting with roller skating as a kid, ice skating in college and swimming while pregnant with her daughter, Ashley. When Ashley was a teen, Biden would run, she wrote in her memoir.…  read on >  read on >

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 >

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 >