Sports

You may have noticed the UV Index on your weather app or heard it mentioned by your local meteorologist. But what does it mean?

Have you ever experienced a “charley horse”? If so, you know how painful these sudden, tight muscle cramps can be.

Stanford, CA — The swish of the net. The squeak of shoes on the court. The pop of a knee? A recent study from the Stanford University School of Medicine shows that basketball players who frequently drive to the basket may be more likely to experience a torn ACL.

Have you ever had a nosebleed? At least 60% of us have had or will experience one in our lifetime, the Cleveland Clinic says.

San Francisco — Chicken wings and chili aren’t the only potential overindulgences to be careful about on Super Bowl Sunday. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, are warning that excessive alcohol consumption during major sporting events and holidays may increase your risk of an episode of atrial fibrillation – an abnormal heart rhythm that can trigger serious health problems.

Washington — Millions of fans will gather around their TVs on Feb. 13 for Super Bowl LVI – and chances are good they’ll indulge in a culinary spread fit for football’s biggest game of the season. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding hosts that guests could get sacked with a foodborne illness if proper safety precautions aren’t taken.

Boston — A recent study of former athletes who participated in contact sports shows that more than 7 out of 10 experienced significant brain injuries over their lifetime, and almost as many endured dementia before dying.

Edinburg, TX — The risk of hospitalization for injuries related to horseback riding surpasses that for football, skiing, and auto and motorcycle racing, according to researchers at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

The thought of stepping outside into brisk winter air might deter even the most dedicated of outdoor fitness seekers. But cold-weather workouts can be safe if you know how to protect yourself.

Gothenburg, Sweden — Nearly half of all recreational runners sustain injuries, according to the results of a yearlong study out of Sweden.