We all know that exercise is good for us. It tones the body and improves cardiovascular function. Researchers have also found that exercise may even boost your immune function--unless you exercise too intensely.

Swedish researchers tested rats to see how different levels of exercise affected the immune system. The rats were kept in separate cages. One group had cages without exercise wheels. Cages of the other rats had exercise wheels. Researchers tracked how much and how far each rat ran.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is the third most common rheumatological disease in the United States. However, doctors don't know very much about it. No one treatment seems to work for all patients. Exercise clearly does seem to help reduce the symptoms of FMS. The problem is, there have been no conclusive studies about what kinds or intensities of exercise help the most.

Gabapentin, also known by its brand name, Nerontin^TM, may play a role in helping people with chronic low back pain. Doctors at Northwestern University reported success after using this medication to treat a woman with chronic pain in her legs. Gabapentin is already being used to treat neurological problems, but this case suggests it should also be considered in some cases of chronic pain.

Snow conditions, temperature, and kids' attitudes about risk-taking have a big influence on their ski safety, among other factors. Studying these factors is a mogul-sized task. By snowplowing through the many possible risks faced by kids who ski, these researchers attempted to pinpoint the ones that seem to matter the most. By discovering these risks, better safety programs for young skiers can be offered.

By keeping a close eye on the rearview mirror of time, researchers have traced what happens after an injury to a hip or knee joint. When a joint is injured in a person's early years, the chances of having future osteoarthritis (OA) in that joint increase.

Recent studies show that when a post-menopausal woman fractures the lower end of her forearm radius bone, there's a 90% chance she has osteoporosis. If she does have osteoporosis, the chances double that she'll eventually have a hip fracture. And the odds are 50% that her hip fracture will result in death.

Reports abound about the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin, granting them newfound stardom in the treatment of osteoarthritis. But as the stardust settles, the actual benefits appear to fall short of the hype.

Researchers recently pooled the best studies done on these two supplements between 1966 and 1999. The studies tested these compounds in the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis over at least four weeks.

Some of the changes that happen in a woman's body during pregnancy are obvious. Others are not. Body weight is usually the most obvious change. Expectant mothers generally gain about 24 extra pounds, accounted for by the growing fetus and the tissues needed to support healthy development.

Rookies entering the minor leagues run a greater risk of injury than veteran players, according to this study. The authors say that rookies may not be prepared physically for the new demands of higher levels of play. Playing at such a high level requires the tissues of the body to adapt over a longer period of time. Rookies simply haven't made these adaptations, which could account for their higher injury rates.

Building strength during the upward climb of adulthood may yield improved health on the other side of the hill. The results of this research article caution young and middle-aged adults to work on their strength and endurance now--before heading into their golden years. People who do no activities to strengthen their muscles are at risk for more physical limitations later in life.