By Peggy O'Farrell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hot news

Move more: Three out of four parents believe increasing school physical education programs could control or prevent childhood obesity, according to a recent survey by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

Other findings:

• 95 percent of parents think regular physical activity improves academic performance.

• 95 percent think physical education should be in the curriculum for all students K-12.

• 54 percent think P.E. is as important or more important than academics such as math and science.

Research

Happy sweat: Exercise improves breast cancer patients' cardiopulmonary function and quality of life, a new Canadian study finds.

Cancer treatments often impair cardiopulmonary capacity. Researchers at the University of Alberta found that patients assigned to perform regular exercise showed improved performance and quality of life.

Patients in the exercise groups also experienced greater happiness - an additional 19 hours per week compared to patients who didn't exercise.

"Happiness was a great outcome. It was a novel outcome and is a psychological issue that sums up an overall sense of well-being. Many people would argue that a good sense of well-being will positively affect the chances of survival," said Dr. Kerry Kourneya.

He called the results "encouraging."

The study appears in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Tips

Rough ride: Skateboard injuries send 26,000 Americans to the emergency room every year.

Try these safety tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• Children under 5 should not ride skateboards.

• Check boards for hazards such as loose or missing parts or nicked wheels.

• Use safety equipment, including helmets, slip-resistant shoes, wrist guards and pads.

• Choose paths free of debris.

• Don't ride in traffic or across roads. Don't skateboard in crowded walkways. Don't hitch - or "skitch" - on vehicles or bicycles.

Calendar

All wet: The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is offering Splash!, a free basic swimming program for nonswimmers in grades 1 through 5. Registration ends Saturday. Space is limited. The program begins May 27 and lasts four sessions. Information: 651-2100.

The Goods

Gear: Danskin Fitness for Women is offering a comprehensive line of home fitness equipment.

The line features a yoga kit, weighted toning balls, and a starter strength set, along with an incline bench toning set. The incline bench toning set, which includes an adjustable bench, storage compartments and dumbbells, retails for $149. Danskin's fitness equipment is available at retailers across the country or online at www.danskinfitness.com.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com