Student-designed Device Provides New Way to Track Calorie Burning
from Science Daily
One can only run on a treadmill so long, watching intently as the pedometer reads out the number of calories melted during a session of exercise. Not to mention the question of how many calories are burned through basic daily movements and even during sleep. But technology – and youthful ambition – is presenting a round-the-clock solution for those consumed with this calculation. A group of Georgia Tech students has crafted a device that allows individuals to constantly compute the amount of calories they burn – even as they sleep. More

Nutrition Key for Young Athletes after Workouts
from Tallahassee Democrat
A common nutrition issue is the time delay between running and refueling. Substantial research in the past fifteen years demonstrates that replacing calories promptly after exertion optimizes recovery by bolstering the immune system, staving off catabolism (the metabolic breakdown of living tissue in a protein-deprived state), and increasing muscle glycogen storage. Research shows that by two hours after a tough workout, this nutrition-based recovery opportunity is reduced by 50 percent. The studies suggest that a smart recovery plan involves immediate post-workout rehydration, combined with at least 400 easily digested calories in a carbohydrate:protein ratio of about 4:1. Smoothies, chocolate milk, bagels, and fortified sports bars and gels are all worth consideration. Anything is better than nothing. More

Olympic Swimmer Visits Capitol Hill
from The Washington Post
Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones implored lawmakers to put federal and state monies toward what has been a privately financed program to teach swimming skills to inner-city children. During his morning visit to Capitol Hill, Jones in particular urged lawmakers in his home state of New Jersey to commit funding for the USA Swimming Foundation's "Make a Splash" initiative, which Jones said helped 2,500 inner-city kids in Atlanta learn how to swim last summer. More

2009 Legends of Texas Clinic, April 2-5, San Antonio
from ASCA
The FINIS 2009 Legends of Texas Clinic will be April 2-5 in San Antonio, Texas. Speaking at this year's edition of the Legends clinic are: Sean Hutchison, KING Aquatics Wash.; Steve Bultman, Texas A&M; Rod Hansen, Irvine Novaquatics California; Jim Montrella and John Leonard. ASCA schools are held Thursday through Friday morning, with the clinic, itself, Friday afternoon through Sunday early afternoon. Cost: $175--clinic and schools; $99--clinic only; $40--Ideal First 2 Years course (only); $60--Level 2 course (only). For more information e-mail asca@swimmingcoach.org or to register, call (800)-356-2722. More

School Lunches Too Fatty and Sugary, Critics Say
from U.S. News & World Report
Despite some improvements, U.S. school meal programs are still laden with unhealthy fat, salt and sugar, nutrition experts contend. Students also have limited choices in foods available in vending machines, la carte in cafeterias, at school stores and snack bars and for fund-raisers, they say in a series of articles in a supplement to the February issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. More

Being Overweight Just As Risky To Health As Being a Smoker
from Science Daily
Obese adolescents have the same risk of premature death in adulthood as people who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, while those who are overweight have the same risk as less heavy smokers, according to research published on the British Medical Journal Web site. More

Five Ways to Boost Your Metabolism
from CNN
“Metabolism” is the name of the bodily system that converts food calories to energy needed to perform various tasks, like pumping oxygen to muscles during a long walk. Many variables contribute to your metabolism, including heredity, gender and age. But you can quicken yours; here's how. More

Lack of Vitamin D Linked to Teen Health Problems
from The Associated Press
New research in teenagers links low levels of vitamin D to high blood pressure and high blood sugar, which can lead to ominous early health problems. The "sunshine" vitamin is needed to keep bones strong, but recent research has linked vitamin D to other possible health benefits. The teen study confirms results seen in adults, linking low levels with risk factors for heart disease, the researchers said. More