Shelf Help

        Turn those pages: Want to work out your brain before you head to the gym? Here are some recent releases on how to get fit. And if you pick up enough books, it could count as strength training:

        • The Firefighter's Workout Book (CliffStreet/HarperCollins;$24) by Michael Stefano, a captain with the New York City Fire Department, promises to help readers put together a workout regime; assess their own fitness levels; set and maintain goals as they progress; stay motivated; develop meal plans and understand nutritional requirements; develop proper breathing techniques and improve mental focus.

        • Energy Exercises (Celestial Press; $12.95) by Emma Mitchell features 22 exercises (with illustrations) on how to increase your energy levels and feel better throughout the day. The book draws from Hatha yoga, T'ai Chi, kinesiology and other techniques.

        • Kathy Smith's Lift Weights to Lose Weight (Warner Books; $15.95) by fitness guru Kathy Smith features a 12-week plan of toning and strength training, warm-up and stretching exercises, tips for using machines and free weights and an eating plan.

Nutrition

        Good fat: Low-fat diets are fine for adults, but unnecessary — and possibly harmful — for children, experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research say.

        Karen Collins, a registered dietitian with the institute, says fat is important in children's diet because it is needed for normal brain and nervous system development.

        A recent Finnish study showed young children fed low-fat diets didn't show any difference in brain development. But while adults are healthier when 30 percent or less of their daily calories come from fat, that's the minimum amount of fat children need.

        In the Finnish study, parents served their children low-fat foods but added vegetable oil and soft margarine.

        Ms. Collins says fats provide an important source of calories for children, who often need more calories than they can eat for healthy growth.

        Most experts agree that children can learn healthy eating habits by eating low-fat foods supplemented with healthy sources of fat, and fatty meats and snack foods are limited.

Research

        Ears burning: People with good cardiovascular health have better hearing than people who below-average cardiovascular health, researchers at Miami University say.

        Among 43 young adults studied, those with both high cardiovascular health and high muscle strength had the best hearing. But muscle strength by itself didn't enhance hearing ability, according to the study by Kathleen Hutchins, a speech pathology professor, and Helaine Alessio, an associate professor of physical education, health and sports studies, and colleagues.

        Cardiovascular health was determined by performance on a stationary bicycle. Muscle strength was determined by weight-training performance.

        Participants with below-average cardiovascular health and muscle strength had the worst hearing, researchers say. The difference in hearing sensitivity between the high- and low-performance groups was about four-fold.

        Reasons for the difference in hearing sensitivity are unclear, researchers say, but it appears improved blood circulation might improve hearing.

        Previous studies suggest better fitness protects against hearing loss and good cardiovascular health protects against age-related hearing loss.
        — Peggy O'Farrell

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