"And the study actually found that the team sports, the sports where you had some social connectivity, actually produced a greater longevity than those individual sports," says Dr. Ed Laskowski, co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads at the end of the post.
Please ‘Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.’ Read the script.

Dr. Laskowski says a recent study shows people who play social sports like tennis or soccer tend to live longer than those who participate in individual sports like swimming or running.

But even among social sports, racquet sports like tennis appear to extend life the most.

He thinks one possible reason is that racquet sports are great for what's known as interval training.

"If you're playing a point, you may have 30 seconds of very intense activity followed by a recovery period," Dr. Laskowski says. "So we're finding that that type of activity is very efficient at training the body, and a lot of times those ... short bouts of more intense activity produce greater efficiency and actually a greater training effect."

But Dr. Laskowski says if running or swimming alone is your thing, stick to it. You'll still live longer than without exercise.

But if you take up a racquet sport like tennis, one study says you may live even longer.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Why a racquet and some friends may be the key to a longer life appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Acid reflux and heartburn are common digestive conditions that many people experience from time to time. When these digestive problems happen more often and begin to interfere with your daily life, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD, which is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus. On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, gastroenterologist Dr. Jeffrey Alexander covers treatment for GERD and how lifestyle changes can improve the condition. Also on the program, obstetrician Dr. Yvonne Butler Tobah discusses the difficult subject of miscarriage. And, sports medicine specialist Dr. Ed Laskowski explains an all-too-common knee injury, the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Listen to the program on Saturday, July 9, at 9:05 a.m. CDT, and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: GERD / Miscarriage / ACL Injury appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, July 9, at 9:05 a.m. CDT.

Miss the show?  Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: GERD / Miscarriage / ACL Injury appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On Mayo Clinic Radio, Dr. Ed Laskowski, co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, has tips on how to get started with a running routine, as well as the benefits of interval training. Also on the program, Mayo Clinic obstetrician Dr. Yvonne Butler Tobah discusses advances in prenatal care, including Mayo Clinic's novel approach — dubbed OB Nest — for women with low-risk pregnancies. And, Mayo Clinic family medicine specialist Dr. Elizabeth Cozine explains the viral infection known as shingles.

The post #MayoClinicRadio Podcast: 6/18/16 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, June 18, at 9:05 a.m. CDT, and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Access archived shows.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Let’s Run / Prenatal Care / Shingles appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, June 18, at 9:05 a.m. CDT.

Miss the show?  Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Let’s Run / Prenatal Care / Shingles appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Journalists: Sound bites are available in the downloads. [TRT :50]  Click here for the transcript.

The American College of Sports Medicine says 25,000 people sprain their ankles every day in the United States. Some of those injuries recover over time on their own — or do they? A recent New York Times article sites studies that confirm what Mayo Clinic experts have known for a while. Ankle sprains are not simple injuries. Without proper training of muscles to support the joint after a sprain, ankles can easily be re-injured. Mayo Clinic researchers did two studies related to this idea. Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine specialist Dr. Edward Laskowski says one study finds that after an ankle sprain, muscles don't contract normally, leading to instability. The other study shows people who participated in a training program after ankle sprain had improved stability. He says, "Pain free does not mean normal. Without training after an ankle sprain, you might not get the protection from future injury."

If you sprain your ankle, Dr. Laskowski recommends a consultation with a Sports Medicine professional or physical therapist who can suggest exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint.

Dr. Laskowski says exercise the following types of exercises are key to recovery and prevention.

• Stand on the floor and balance on one leg
• As balance improves, stand on one leg while doing a task such as reading or bouncing a ball
• Stand on one leg on a foam pillow

The post Ankle Sprains – Pain Free Does Not Mean Normal appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Click here to listen: Mayo Clinic Radio PODCAST March 28 2015

The post Spring Training/Wearable Fitness Devices/Vertigo: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

The Major League baseball season is about to begin and, for many of us, it signals the start of outdoor fitness activities. To avoid injury, it's a good idea to do some spring training before jumping into your favorite sport. On this week's program, Mayo Clinic sports medicine specialist Dr. Ed Laskowski has tips for getting back in shape. Also on the show, preventive and occupational medicine specialist Dr. Phil Hagen explains how wearable digital fitness devices can enhance your workout. And we learn about vertigo and how it's treated from audiologist Dr. Neil Shepard.

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Stretching as part of a workout is nice to do, but not critical for getting in shape.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Click here to listen to the program on Saturday, March 28, at 9:05 a.m., and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

The post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Miss the show?  Here's the podcast: Mayo Clinic Radio PODCAST March 28 2015

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Stretching as part of a workout is nice to do, but not critical for getting in shape.

To listen to the program at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 28, click here.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Spring Training/Wearable Fitness Devices/Vertigo appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.