Do you know about the benefits of exercise and the risks of inactivity, yet still find it difficult to incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle? If so, you are not alone. Most people have good intentions, but don’t seem [...]

What are your views on aging? Is fatigue and joint discomfort the inevitable result of growing older? If so, do you believe that the elderly should take it easy when they are tired and suffering from mild aches?
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A proper warm-up consists of exercises to increase blood circulation in the golfing muscles with optional stretches. (Pre-game stretching alone won’t increase body temperature.) Since cold muscles and tendons [...]

Are you looking for something different in your workouts–exercise that will engage your body and mind in a new way? Mind-body exercise (physical activity performed with an internal focus) is an increasingly popular choice. It can improve not only flexibility, strength, posture and balance but also coordination, stress management and focus.
Which Road to Take?
How do [...]

by Shirley Archer, JD, MA
Studies have shown that a discipline of consistent meditation improves immune system response. Now, new research suggests that tai chi and qigong practice may offer similar immunity-enhancing characteristics: older adults who did tai chi and qigong regularly for 5 months had a superior positive reaction to a flu vaccine compared with [...]

Congratulations on your interest in starting or maintaining an active lifestyle. Nearly every day more research is released showing the tremendous benefits of regular exercise. Unfortunately, millions of people worldwide die prematurely each year of causes related to inactivity.
Helping you get and stay active is what IDEA is all about. As the source for quality, [...]

When we’re young, we generally take our balancing skills for granted. As we get older, however, we find that our balance (the ability to sense where our bodies are positioned and adjust muscle tension to maintain alignment) isn’t what it used to be. The consequences of losing our ability to balance are significant. Falls are [...]

Although some old fitness fictions, such as “no pain, no gain” and “spot reducing” are fading fast, plenty of popular exercise misconceptions still exist. Here are some of the most common myths as well as the not-so-common facts based on current exercise research.
1. You Will Burn More Fat If You Exercise Longer at a Lower [...]

Looking for a powerful way to discourage disease and fuel a high-energy lifestyle? The answer is easy: fiber. Even though research continues to prove fiber’s power, statistics show that many people still aren’t taking this nutrient seriously enough. According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), most adults consume less than 15 grams (g) of fiber [...]

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight—and who hasn’t?—you’ve probably tried every fad diet and weight loss gimmick there is. It’s the same old story every time. As soon as you quit the program, the pounds come right back on . . . and then some, leaving you frustrated, depressed and feeling like a failure.
Are [...]