Health Watch

Do you remember swinging from a tree branch or pulling up on the monkey bars when you were younger? Those were variations of suspension training, a form of fitness that's becoming more popular.

You must challenge your body in order to get results. If you want to see improvement in your strength training and cardio endurance, you will have to boost weight, reps and intensity levels. Small changes can make a big difference in your results and can help you overcome plateaus.

Every year, more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs, with more than half of all victims younger than age 14.

Fitness professionals have heard every excuse in the book for why clients can't attend their exercise sessions. When you are your own trainer, disciplining yourself can be difficult.

Shoes that do not fit properly can be uncomfortable and unhealthy. The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these guidelines to help parents find shoes that fit properly:

Chances are you have a few pictures of yourself that show off your best shape or your athletic prowess. Use those photos to create a vision board that motivates you to keep your commitment to the gym and exercise. You can use a bulletin board, whiteboard or "pin" it to your fitness board on Pinterest.

Dirt is a four-letter word to many moms, but letting your kids get dirty is actually good for them, according to a new report from the National Wildlife Federation, "The Dirt on Dirt: How Getting Dirty Outdoors Benefits Kids."

Each April, APHA celebrates National Public Health Week to spread the word about good health, encouraging both communities and individuals to take an active approach toward healthier living.

Researchers at the University of Arizona have received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct further studies into how baking soda may help to stop breast cancer tumors from spreading.

Use only your body weight for this move. If you are a beginner, start on your knees instead of your toes.

Try a portable biofeedback device, like the StressEraser, to help you relax by synchronizing your breathing and your heart rate. If having too much on your plate and too many interruptions causes you stress, try Quiet Hours. It lets you shut down your computer's communication apps, like instant messaging, for a specified period of time.

Stand with feet hip-width apart (or sit in a chair). Clasp one weight with both hands. Extend your arms up over your head, elbows close to your ears.

A new report by Safe Kids Worldwide found that the percentage of child-poisoning deaths as a result of medications has nearly doubled –– from 36 percent to 64 percent –– even though the death rate among children from poisoning overall has been cut in half since the 1970s.

You can achieve a full-body workout on an elliptical cross-trainer by moving the handlebars and legs simultaneously, which will tone your legs and arms while training your heart.

Smartphones are showing promise in disease surveillance in the developing world.

Stretching after exercise can help relax and balance tension caused by the workout itself. Post-workout, when your body is warm, is the ideal time to stretch; doing so will decrease the risk of muscle injury and will help you avoid tight, sore muscles.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, family health insurance costs for those with employer-sponsored coverage increased by nine percent in 2011.

The rate of outbreaks caused by unpasteurized milk (often called raw milk) and products made from it was 150 times greater than outbreaks linked to pasteurized milk, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Every year, the flu is responsible for hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and countless hours of lost work. Americans stock up on lemon tea, vitamin C and herbal remedies to brace for another long flu season. But what really works?

Daily deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial are offering medical and cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction and dental implants, at deep discounts. But Liz Weston with AARP says to be careful.