Health: Fitness News.(Brief Article)

Volume Control

Fitness classes are good for the muscles, but they may not be so good for the ears. A recent study measured sound levels in exercise classes over three years. In many, music reached 120 decibels, the equivalent of a jackhammer. Regular exposure to these levels can cause hearing loss, says the lead researcher, Eugenie Mielczarek of George Mason University. "You'll know the volume's unsafe if you have ringing in your ears, or if you turn on your car radio after class and then get in the car the next morning and the radio seems too loud," she says.

Aerobic Eating

Some people believe that exercising encourages healthful eating, but a recent study disproved that notion. Subjects were assigned to an exercise group, which did 45 minutes of aerobic activity five days a week for 16 months, or a control group. For certain periods during that time, participants had their food intake recorded. Although exercise prevented weight gain in women, it didn't make ...