Research/Exercise Science Articles

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Client: Elyce Personal Trainer: Justin Price, MA, Co-owner of The BioMechanics Location: San Diego

Body mass index has been widely used to determine level of physical fitness and obesity-related health risk factors. Scientists at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke in Nuthetal, Germany, suggest that BMI alone may not be as reliable an indicator as previously thought.

According to the American Stroke Association (www.strokeassociation.org), “a stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.” The number-three cause of death in the United States, stroke is considered a “preventable disease” in that regular exercise and a healthy diet can limit a person’s potential to develop the condition.