United States Sports Academy
America's Sports University^®

Scientists have located a genetic variation that can make people get hooked on cigarettes, which may ultimately lead to lung cancer. Christopher Amos, a professor of epidemiology at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, states, “This genetic variant makes you more likely to be dependent on smoking.” Smokers who inherit the genetic variant from both parents have a nearly 1-in-4 chance of developing lung cancer.

Source: Borenstein, Seth. Associated Press. Genetic Link Tied to Smoking Addiction. April 2, 2008. http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/04/02/1406208-genetic-link-tied-to-smoking-addiction

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Injury Research and Policy studied high school athletes and found that, among them, the knee is the second most frequently injured part of the body. Although boys are more likely than girls to sustain knee injuries, injuries among girls are more devastating and debilitating. For boys, higher risk of knee injury was associated with football and wrestling; for girls, higher risk was associated with soccer and basketball. “We don’t typically think of gymnastics as a dangerous sport,” said Lara McKenzie, PhD, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital “It has the same clinical incidence of catastrophic injuries as ice hockey.” Still, McKenzie added, “We may be able to prevent and reduce the number of injuries if we were to establish a uniform set of rules and regulations for gymnasts, trainers, and coaches.”

Source: Dennis, Tami. Los Angeles Times. High school sports bring many injuries to their knees. May 22, 2008. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/05/in-high-school.html See also American Journal of Sports Medicine, June 2008.

Today’s youth sports industry may be a major cause of burnout and sports injuries in young athletes. Coaches and parents are piling on too much training, convincing young athletes to pick one sport and to compete year-round. Any athlete can be injured by overtraining, but those under age 12 are especially vulnerable. Coaches and parents need always to consider the athlete’s age and associated stage of physical development.

Source: Giordano, Dom. Philadelphia Bulletin. The Evening Bulletin – Inside Today’s Bulletin. Youth Sports Industry Burns Out, Injures Kids. May 23, 2008. http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=19714758&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=8

When it’s hot but you’re exercising or participating in sports anyway, you can become dehydrated without being aware of it. Especially if your body is unused to a sweltering climate, pursuing physical activity without hydrating properly places you at increased risk for dehydration. The American Council on Exercise tells athletes to drink 16–20 oz of fluids 2 hours prior to physical activity, plus 6–10 oz every 15 or 20 min throughout the activity, plus 16–24 oz per pound of body weight lost at the conclusion of the activity.

Source: Hendry, Erica R. USA Today. A Better Life Section. Drink up as summer heats up. Thursday, July 3, 2008. Pg 4D. www.usatoday.com

A recent report in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that, although human growth hormone (HGH) can boost muscles’ size, HGH does not necessarily make muscles stronger—or improve the performance of sport skills. In fact there are studies showing that HGH reduces stamina, brings on fatigue, and causes joint swelling and pain.

Source: Rosenfeld, Isadore. Parade, Medical Alert Section. When Muscles Don’t Make You Strong. April 20, 2008. Pg 17.

Congestive heart failure affects many women and men and is linked to certain other health conditions. Here are incidence rates and risk factors:

• 1 in 5 individuals, out of all men and women, will suffer congestive heart failure.
• 1 in 9 men who never had a heart attack will suffer congestive heart failure.
• 1 in 6 women who never had a heart attack will suffer congestive heart failure.

Risk factors for congestive heart failure: High bllod pressure, History of heart attack, Coronary artery disease, Heart valve disease, Congenital heart failure, Heart infections.

Source: Painter, Kim. USA Today. A Better Life Section. Hope despite heart failure. Monday, February 25, 2008. Pg9D. www.usatoday.com Primary source: Framington Heart Study and American Heart Association.

A recent study from the American College of Sports Medicine indicated that women with a low level of aerobic fitness or a high body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes. The study also showed that walking vigorously for 30 min five days a week fosters mild to moderate aerobic fitness, which is capable of considerably reducing the risk of diabetes.

Source: Manzella, Debra. About.com Guide to Diabetes, Walking and Diabetes. Tuesday June 3, 2008. http://diabete.about.com/b/2008/06/03/moderate-level-of-earobic-fitness-reduces-risk-of-diabetes.htm

From 1994 to 2004, 1,639 new candies were introduced to the market; 52 new vegetable products showed up in supermarket aisles. In 1997 McDonald’s spent $571 million on advertising; the National Institutes of Science had just $1 million for its five-a-day fruits and vegetables promotion. It is clearly time for agencies of the government to step up and curb a problem that is out of control.

Source: Poiner, Robert. Research Reveals Little Progress in Government Fight Against Childhood Obesity. NYU Research. Volume 4, Number 2, 2008. Pg 12.

It takes only three weeks of inactivity for aerobic capacity to sharply decline, sapping your energy and endurance. If you’re facing a tough period, try holding on to those gains by shortening or spreading out your workouts rather than canceling them. “If you exercise as intensely as usual, you can cut in half how long and how often you work out, with compromising what you’ve achieved,” said Bob Moffatt, PhD, of Florida State University.

Source: Consumer Reports on Health. How to stay fit, come what may. Volume 20, May 2008, Pg 8.

• Use a smaller plate to make less food seem like more.
• Keep a bowl of fruit in an easy-to-reach place, for a healthy snack.
• Eat breakfast.
• Replace calorie-laden beverages with water.
• Measure your servings until you can estimate serving size accurately.
• Brush your teeth or chew gum to discourage snacking.

Source: Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Supplement: Special Report. Achieving a Healthy Weight. June, 2008, Pg 4.

Several university studies have found that people who interrupt conversations are at a greater risk for heart problems. Duke University researchers reported that interrupting is associated with a 7 times greater risk of developing heart disease. They theorize that interrupting is a sign that a person is excessively competitive and controlling, two hallmarks of the worst “Type A” personality. But all that such individuals need to do is practice being good listeners.

Source: Bottom Line Health: Wellness Strategies. The Hidden Heart Attack Trigger. Spring, 2008, Pg 4.

1. For breakfast enjoy oatmeal with fresh berries, walnuts, and soy milk.
2. Choose snacks of fruit, nuts, seeds, or fresh vegetables.
3. Eat less red meat. Eat more fish.
4. Don’t eat anything fried.
5. Meals require vegetables, and green, orange and yellow vegetables are best.
6. Drink plenty of water; for variety, add to your diet green tea, herbal tea, or fresh juice with nothing else added (100% fruit and/or vegetable juice).

Source: Jegtvig, Shereen. About.com Nutrition Section. Anti-Inflammatory Foods. May 5, 2008. http://nutrition.about.com/od/dietsformedicaldisorders/a/antiinflanfood.htm

1. Acupuncture
2. Alexander technique
3. Balneotherapy
4. Bowen therapy
5. Breathing exercises
6. Capsaicin cream
7. Chiropractic care
8. Magnesium
9. Massage therapy
10. Music therapy
11. Prolotherapy
12. Vitamin B12
13. Vitamin D
14. Willow bark
15. Yoga

Source: Wong, Cathy. About.com Alternative Medicine. Your Guide to Alternative Medicine. 15 Remedies for Back Pain Relief. May 21, 2008. http://altmedicine.about.com/od/chronicpain/a/back_pain.htm?p=1