Help Wanted

        Coaches needed: Youth cycling coaches are needed to help youngsters in the Kids on Bikes program. The program is geared toward children ages 8 to 14, and uses a grass oval track to teach and refine basic bicycle racing skills.

        Coaches for the 2001 season (late June through late August) must be able to provide one to two hours of coaching each week, plus oversee team competitions, a day trip to Indianapolis and a season-ending race. For information, call Doug Dobrozsi, 583-8437, e-mail pedalpower@voyager.net, or log on to www.qcw.org and check the Kids on Bikes link.

Tips

        Mouth health: Parents remember to make their children wear safety helmets and padding for bicycling and roller-skating, but too few remember another safety device for active youngsters: the mouthguard.

        The American Dental Association says parents can choose from three types of mouthguards — custom-made, ready-made or stock, and mouth-formed “boil and bite” — to help protect children's teeth, lips, tongue, face or jaw from trauma during sports and recreation.

        For information, log on to www.ada.org.

        Heart health: Kathrine Switzer, program director of Avon Running Global Women's Circuit which is a series of international women-only 10K races and 5K walks, offers simple tips to keep your heart healthy and your self-esteem high:

        • Make exercise a priority. Aim for 30 minutes a day, five times a week. But even 10 minutes a day is better than nothing.

        • Remember what Mom said: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and oatmeal, and cut down on saturated fats.

        • Walk or exercise with a partner. It keeps you motivated.

        • Spice up your routine with a variety of activities; try new challenges and follow new routes.

        • Don't smoke. It's a killer.

        • Women who are post-menopausal or over age 50 and men over age 40 should consult their doctor before beginning an exercise program.

        • Get a checkup every year.

        For information, call (212) 282-5350 or log on to www.avonrunning.com.

Shelf Help
        Sweat: The Whartons' Cardio-Fitness Book: The Step-by-Step Program for High Energy and Endurance cq (Three Rivers Press; $16) by Jim and Phil Wharton shows how to combine proper diet and cardiovascular training for a better body, more energy and a stronger heart. The Whartons, a father and son team, are president and vice president of Performance International in New York City. They have trained and rehabilitated everyone from pro football players to Broadway dancers. This is their third book.

        Not too late: Fit Over 40 for Dummies (Hungry Minds Inc.; $19.99) by former U.S. Open senior women's doubles champ Betsy Nagelsen McCormack is chock-full of tips on easing back into a fitness program later in life. Topics include goal setting and finding time to exercise; figuring your fitness level; eating for fitness and health; stretches that help — and hurt — older bodies; new fitness activities and unique workouts.

        — Peggy O'Farrell

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