TIPS
               Stay safe: Last winter, more than 276,000 skiing-related injuries were treated in hospitals and doctors' offices. Hockey caused 150,000 injuries, snowboarding 141,000 and skating (on ice and other surfaces) 126,000. In all, winter sports caused more than 800,000 injuries.

        The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons wants people to take care of themselves while they're having fun, and has begun a “Prevent Injuries America!” campaign to let people know what to do on the slopes, the hills and the ice.

        Proper skiing technique, for example, can reduce the risk of injury, and better training of instructors can cut knee ligament injuries by half. Sledding in well-lighted areas, facing forward only and avoiding slopes that end in a street or parking lot cut the risk for that sport considerably. And more layers of clothing not only keep you warmer, but also can act as padding. For more tips, call (800) 824-2663 or visit www.aaos.org. — GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Research

               Sweat: For people who want to lose weight but don't want to diet, try exercise.

        A three-month study of 52 obese men found that those who didn't diet but maintained their normal intake lost somewhat more weight with regular exercise than those who dieted but did not exercise.

        “Exercise-induced weight loss reduces total fat and improves cardiovascular fitness significantly more than equivalent diet-induced weight loss,” said Robert Ross of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, reporting in the Annals of Internal Medicine. — CHICAGO TRIBUNE

        Muscle up: A Ball State University study says vitamin E may help people protect muscles during weight training.

        The study showed vitamin E protects muscle membranes during resistance training. The vitamin acts as antioxidant, reducing the formation of free radicals, which can damage cells, says Bruce Craig, a physical education professor and one of the researchers overseeing the study.

        “From a weight trainer's point of view, if you don't have as much muscle damage and soreness, you can recover faster,” he says. “Vitamin E may reduce the oxidative and mechanical damage induced by resistance training.” The study followed 11 untrained men in a circuit weight-training program. — THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Calendar

               Benefit run: Raise your heart rate and help the Arthritis Foundation at the same time at the Health Alliance Jingle Bell Run Dec. 2. The 5K run/walk starts at 10 a.m. at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington. More than 3,500 participants are expected. A Kids Candy Cane Fun Run will also be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m., and the Salvation Army will be collecting donated canned goods. For information, call 271-4545.

        Turkey trot: The 91st annual Thanksgiving Day Run will draw more than 7,000 runners, walkers and turkeys Nov. 23.

        The 10K run begins at 9 a.m. in Latonia, but a bus service will be available from the Convention Center downtown beginning at 7 a.m. Registration is $15, or $30 with a T-shirt. To register, log onto www.wkrc.com or www.700WLW.com , or visit Bob Roncker's Running Spot in O'Bryonville. Pre-registration deadline is Wednesday. Race day registration will be held at the Convention Center. For more information, call 321-3006. — THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

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