A Manchester Metropolitan University study has found that taking carbohydrate and protein supplements just before and just after low-resistance exercise could boost muscle performance and slow muscle wastage in people over retirement age.

Moreover, this combination appears to deliver greater fitness benefits than undertaking heavy-resistance training, with or without changing one's nutritional habits. This was the first-ever study of the combination of structured exercise and nutritional supplements to focus wholly on older people. This groundbreaking study involved a carefully selected sample of around 60 healthy, independently-living adults aged 65 and over.


Steroids may help fertility

Taking a course of steroids could help up to a third of women who have suffered repeated miscarriages or failed IVF treatment, according to new research.

The study, involving 120 women, identified natural killer cells as a cause of miscarriages and failed IVF embryo implants, but also found that steroids appeared to reduce the level of these killer cells in the uterus. Dr Siobhan Quenby, who led the research, is now looking for 40 women with high levels of natural killer cells and a history of miscarriages to take part in steroid trials.


How much are your kids doing?

Parents vastly overestimate how much exercise their kids do, according to research published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.

According to the study, from Glasgow and Newcastle Universities, parents of six and seven year-olds claimed their children were exercising for two hours a day, but research revealed the true figure was less than half an hour. One in three British 11 year-olds is now overweight or obese, and this number is forecast to increase dramatically over the next decade.


Doggy day out for cancer funds

A family fun day is being held in Whixley, North Yorkshire to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The Wag 'n' Bone charity dog show plus much more is being held on Sunday, September 21, 11am to 4.30pm. Entry is adults £1,children go free. For more information call Sarah Field 0113 2457800 or 07711894794.