Winter wonderland shoveling tips.

• Position: Your Life

Having a white holiday season can be a dream come true, but cleaning up after one can be physically challenging. To help kids and adults alike avoid injury while shoveling snow and ice this winter, the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Dallas, Tex., offers the following suggestions:

* People who should avoid shoveling snow include sufferers of angina, other heart conditions, and hypertension; those experiencing low back or neck pain; and anyone physically out of shape.

* Warm up by stretching your back and exercising abdominals, legs, and upper body muscles.

* Eat a healthy snack and drink water or a sports drink to ensure you have adequate energy. Replenishing fluids and staying hydrated is extremely important, no matter how cold it is outside.

* Do not overdress because you will warm up quickly. Wear boots, long johns, coveralls, sweatshirt, jacket, gloves, hat, and UV protectant sunglasses and sunscreen.

* Pace yourself, especially if the area you are shoveling is large, or you have not been physically active in a while.

* Shovel for five to 10 minutes at a time, then rest to catch your breath and stretch your lower back, neck, and shoulders.

* Use a shovel with a long handle to gain more control. Those...