Safety/injury prevention Archive

Popular exercise styles can be subject to trends. Scientists have studied high-intensity bursts of exercise a great deal in recent years, but research continues to also focus on the health benefits of moderate-intensity, continuous movement. Studies suggest both types of exercise can lower the odds of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature death. High-intensity exercise, however, can help people fulfill recommended exercise guidelines in less time. It does pose drawbacks, however, such as a higher risk of injuries and inflammation to joints and muscles.

Exercising outdoors in winter can offer different health benefits from summer. Cold weather may improve endurance, and the lower temperatures may help transform some white fat, including belly fat, into calorie-burning brown fat. Winter is also an opportunity to take up seasonal sports and activities like fat biking, cross-country skiing, and running or hiking new trails. For safety, exercisers should bundle up, protect their extremities, use sunscreen, and drink enough water.

A 2024 Harvard study of 90,000 people (average age 62), followed for about 10 years, found that getting 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was tied to improved health, particularly heart health. But among people who got the recommended amount of exercise, those who were the most sedentary the rest of the time had a greater risk of developing heart failure and dying from heart disease, compared with those who were the least sedentary.

Many people need to take multiple medications for health and symptom control, but it requires extra attention to prevent risks for drug interactions, dosage errors, and other problems. Several strategies can help, such as learning the names of pills, what they do, and why they're necessary; writing down the day, time, and dose of each drug; using organization tools such as pillboxes and alarms; and scheduling a medication review with a doctor or pharmacist every 12 months, so that unnecessary pills-such as those no longer needed-can be omitted.

A 2024 study of more than 10,000 dementia-free people found that fitting the recommended amount of weekly exercise into one or two sessions was associated with a similar reduction in dementia risk as exercising throughout the work week.

For millions of people, alcohol is a regular part of their lives. But there are many downsides to drinking - some familiar, others less well appreciated. And concerns about the risks of even moderate drinking are on the rise.

Research has shown that feelings of general anxiety, nervousness, and fear tend to rise with age. This can lead to increased isolation and less exercise, and may progress to an anxiety disorder. Strategies to help manage and overcome increased feelings of fear include seeing a therapist, practicing mindfulness, consulting with a financial expert, and hiring a personal trainer.