Scientists are developing a range of miniaturised wearable and track-side sensors, computer modelling tools and smart training devices to help British athletes improve their performance on the world stage, as part of a new £8.5 million project that were officially launched 28 October 2009.

New research from Denmark suggests that where middle-aged men and women carry excess body fat affects their risk of developing blood clots like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) , with apple-shaped men who carry excess fat mainly around the waist and pear-shaped women who carry excess fat mainly around the hips having the highest risk.

We've come a long way in the fitness world (yes, I used to wear leg warmers and lift pink dumbbells) but there are still myths out there that persist despite the best efforts of fitness experts everywhere. One of those myths is the one about the fat-burning zone - you know that one, right? It says that working out at a lower intensity will help you burn more fat. I've written quite a bit about this and was drawn back to the topic when I read an article in the October 2009 issue of the IDEA Fitness Journal. In "The Fat-Burning Zone," Dr. Jason Karp talks about this myth stating that our bodies do rely on fat as fuel when we're working at a lower intensity. As the intensity increases, we use more carbs for fuel. That sounds a lot like fat-burning but, here's what's important: Just because you use fat doesn't mean you actually burn more fat. In fact, if your goal is to lose fat, higher intensity exercise burns more calories overall. As Dr. Karp puts it, "What matters is the rate

So? How'd you do last night? Did you eat too much candy or are you patting yourself on the back for your ability to moderate? I have to admit, I had some candy last night - hey, you have to test it before just giving it out, right? Also, my neighbors came by with some Rice Krispies Treats and caught me in a vulnerable moment. Yum. It's nice to enjoy the holiday and, for the most part, I'm a big believer in guilt-free treats. If you want to do some damage control, however, there are ways to add intensity to your planned workout to burn a few extra calories. Below you'll find some ideas for kicking up your workout as well as new workouts you can try, if you're looking for a challenge. 5 Ways to Add Intensity to Your Workouts. This article covers ideas for both cardio and strength training. Just trying one of these techniques can help you maximize your workout time and burn extra calories. Advanced Cardio Blast Workout. This tough workout for intermediate/advanced exercisers is

"> Working out at home isn't for everyone. While it's convenient to be able to workout whenever you want, it also takes a certain amount of self-discipline to workout with so many distractions. At the gym, you don't have much of a choice (unless you're doing what my husband calls the Gentleman's Workout - sitting in a hot tub before showering, shaving and going off to work). We know that losing weight and maintaining that weight loss involves predictable things like exercise and healthy eating, but having the right home environment helps as well. One study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that people who maintain weight loss usually have exercise equipment at home and fewer televisions around. While this isn't all that surprising, it's interesting to think about how your home environment can contribute to your success. I'm curious about you. Do you workout at home and, if so, does having exercise equipment available all the time make it easier? Do you exercise