In previous posts, Health Talk has pointed to a number of benefits quality sleep can have on your personal health.

Despite the fact quality sleep can reduce your risk of heart disease, decrease stress and alleviate high blood pressure, sleep is a valued commodity that many people struggle to obtain. Others simply underestimate the affects it can have on their quality of life.

University of Minnesota Physicians sleep expert Michael Howell, M.D., recently investigated the relationship between sleep and human performance, with a focus on athletics in particular.

Howell found that athletic performance is improved by optimizing sleep.

Some men will do just about anything to stay home and watch games during the NCAA tournament. But will they go as far as opting for a vasectomy during March Madness?

As crazy as it may sound, according to a 2012 USA Today article, there could (stress on could) be some level of truth to this myth. The simplest explanation is some men want an excuse (and sympathy from their wife or significant other) to stay home and watch the myriad of games from the comfort of their couch or bed.

But what are clinicians seeing this time of year? Health Talk went to the experts.

Now that we’re nearly a month into 2013, hopefully you are still enthusiastic about your exercise routine. But for those of you who might have fallen off the wagon so to speak, Health Talk may have some info that could entice you to jump back onboard.

If you haven’t already heard, it seems drinking chocolate milk after exercise could actually be good for you. Say what?!

Yes, it’s true. Drinking chocolate milk after exercise has been shown to help improve recovery time, improve endurance and build muscle. During exercise, your body loses water, carbohydrates and protein. Although drinking water is good for helping to replace water loss, it does not help replace carbohydrates and proteins that are vital for recovery.

Adrian Peterson, of the Minnesota Vikings, is having a huge season after returning from an ACL injury.

ACL injuries are getting a lot of attention these days, with returns of two big names in Minnesota sports. Both Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings are within a year of ACL injuries. Peterson went down last December during a game, and Rubio left the line up back in March.

Peterson’s return has been nothing short of astounding; he’s leading the NFL in rushing and is in the discussion for the league’s Most Valuable Player. Rubio is expected to return to the hardwood sometime in the next month, just 9 months after his tear.

Jeffrey Macalena, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon with University of Minnesota Physicians, spoke about ACL treatment and recovery with Minnesota Public Radio.

According to Macalena believes there are more ACL injuries now than in the past, partly because of the faster pace of sports but also because of the growing size of athletes.

Macalena says patients recovering from ACL injury treatments can expect to get back to training in about 7 to 10 months. However, because Peterson and Rubio are exceptional athletes, their recovery is a little quicker.

Listen to the whole interview to find out the difference in recovery for men and women, who will most benefit from ACL surgery, and how to recover if you opt out of surgery.

Click here for the Minnesota Public Radio interview with Jeffrey Macalena, M.D.

Yesterday we answered three common questions about the physical toll marathon running has on the body as the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon nears closer.

Today, University of Minnesota Physicians primary care specialist Grant Morrison, M.D., assistant professor with the University of Minnesota Medical School, Family Medicine and Community Health, and associate medical director for the Twin Cities Marathon, will answer some final questions.

What should a runner do if they get sick from running a marathon?

Many illnesses will improve simply with rest and nutrition. However, runners must guard carefully against any number of serious injuries.

Post-race, people should see their doctor if their illness seems to be getting worse, particularly if a runner cannot hold down fluids and is vomiting or having diarrhea. Runners do not get the flu while running, so a flu-like illness after a marathon that does not improve quickly with rest requires medical evaluation.

Chest pain during a race should not be ignored, particularly in a runner who has risk factors for heart diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a family history or even a personal history of heart problems.

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on October 7^th will bring 12,000 runners from all over the country and the world to Minnesota’s twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or you’ve never run 26.2 miles in your life, there are always questions surrounding marathon running. And who better to answer these questions than a University of Minnesota expert who also serves as the associate medical director for the Twin Cities Marathon?

University of Minnesota Physicians primary care specialist Grant Morrison, M.D., is an assistant professor with the University of Minnesota Medical School, Family Medicine and Community Health.

Over the next two days, Dr. Morrison will answer some common questions about marathon running.

Make sure to check back with the Health Talk blog tomorrow for the final questions and answers.

Dr. Morrison, let’s lead off with the most basic question: