Do you practice yoga? Did you know that despite the challenges of researching the health benefits of yoga, many good-quality studies are beginning to emerge, and the results are interesting. Lee Lipton, MA, PA-C, a yoga teacher and instructor trainer for over 15 years, describes selected studies and what they mean.
by by Ryan Halvorson
Obese women thinking of becoming pregnant may want to make body composition improvements prior to conceiving, suggests recent research. A study published in the February 11 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (2009; 301[6], 636–50) highlights an increased prevalence of congenital birth defects among children of obese mothers.
by by Ralph La Forge, MS
Recently, as co-chair of a medical conference on the metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia, I seized the chance to slip a short discussion of yoga-based lifestyle research into a long day of clinical trial expositions that mostly focused on lipid-lowering drug studies. I felt somewhat meek describing a number of relatively small studies, all done on small budgets, while most clinical trials being discussed were 50- to 200-million-dollar studies sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry or the National Institutes of Health [NIH].
by by Christina Christie, PT, Rich Colosi, DPT
Everywhere you turn, it seems there is a commercial, headline, advertisement or article discussing some type of women’s health issue. In particular, many women face challenges with their Pelvic Core Neuromuscular System (PCNS). These problems affect women in all walks of life, including health professionals, teachers, executives, athletes and homemakers. Many do not even know that the pattern they’ve developed is not normal.
by by Ryan Halvorson
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, back problems accounted for 139 million doctor visits in the United States in 2005 and cost $17.6 billion. With such a prevalence of back pain, it’s more than likely that fitness professionals will come across those suffering from the condition. But research suggests personal trainers may be able to help clients
relieve pain with strength training.
by by Ryan Halvorson
Those who undergo knee replacement surgery may also receive an exercise prescription from their doctors, if wind of a study makes its way to the
orthopedic wing. The Arthritis Care & Research study (2009; 61 [2], 174–83) has determined that post-op exercise could be a must for knee replacement patients looking to make a full recovery.
by by Ryan Halvorson
Men seeking longevity may want to trade their running shoes for a pair of swimming goggles. A study published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education (2008; 2 [3]) determined from a review of medical and physical activity data on 40,547 men aged 20–90 years that swimming could be the best exercise method to enhance longevity. After making adjustments for age, body mass index, smoking
by by Lawrence Herrera, Len Kravitz, PhD
Ormsbee, M.J., et al. 2007. Fat metabolism and acute resistance exercise in trained men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 102, 1767–72.
Am I burning fat while doing resistance exercise? This is a question that clients regularly ask personal trainers and group fitness instructors. Resistance training, because of its chief role in maintaining and/or increasing lean body mass (muscle), is an essential component of any weight management program.
by by Ryan Halvorson
According to the National Centers for Sports Safety, 3.5 million children ages 14 and under receive medical treatment for sports-related injuries each year. Of those injuries, nearly half are overuse injuries due to incomplete bone growth or improper training and conditioning. A recent study, first published online in the British Medical Journal (2008;doi:10.11
36/bmj.a2469), states that those injuries could be significantly reduced with a comprehensive warm-up program.
