Special Populations Articles

An innovative wheelchair tai chi program is motivating individuals who are wheelchair bound to become active and to feel empowered.

Facility managers and directors are in a strategic position to bring health-and-wellness solutions to members across all ages and stages of life. Where to begin? newsletter_teaser: Facility managers and directors are in a strategic position to bring health-and-wellness solutions to members across all ages and stages of life. Where to begin?

Of the 600 carotenoids responsible for the rainbow of colors seen in fruits and vegetables, only two--lutein and zeaxanthin--accumulate in the retina of the human eye, giving rise to the “macula lutea” or “yellow spot.” These macular pigments, or color filters, serve as internal sunglasses. Athletes who consume more of these two important xanthophylls may experience: newsletter_teaser: Of the 600 carotenoids responsible for the rainbow of colors seen in fruits and vegetables, only two—lutein and zeaxanthin--accumulate in the retina of the human eye, giving rise to the “macula lutea” or “yellow spot.” These macular pigments, or color filters, serve as internal sunglasses.

Athletes are being groomed at younger and younger ages. Many factors play into this, and as the level of competition rises, parents want to help their children excel while also preventing injuries. Regular Pilates practice is one way to reduce injuries, increase body awareness and enhance coordination. newsletter_teaser: Athletes are being groomed at younger and younger ages. Many factors play into this, and as the level of competition rises, parents want to help their children excel while also preventing injuries.

Scientists and fitness professionals have spent plenty of time looking for ways to encourage improved activity levels among children. To appeal to tech-minded youth, one possible means for improving fitness is active video gaming. However, a study published recently in Pediatrics (March 1, 2012; 129 [3], 636–42) suggests that this may not be as effective as previously thought.

Turn off the tube and enjoy some quality time with your children during Screen-Free Week (April 30–May 6), an annual event in which families, schools and communities leave all screens dark. Reports suggest that preschoolers spend an average of 32 hours a week in front of the television or a computer screen, and older children spend even more time there. Excessive screen time can lead to poor school performance, childhood obesity, attention problems and reduced creative play.

People invest a lot of money in the search for eternal youth. But one of the most effective, inexpensive and pain-free ways to look and feel younger is to exercise and perform daily stretches that ward off kyphosis (rounding of the thoracic spine, resulting in a hunched shape); that keep the spine mobile; that lengthen the quadriceps to help sustain a tall, lifted posture; and that maintain a healthy range of motion in the hips.

Encouraging children to exercise may be important not only for physical health but also for mental fitness. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign conducted a literature review of 111 studies and found that doing both cardiovascular exercise and strength training enhances brain fitness, academic achievement, information processing and decision-making skills. Findings suggested that exercising aerobically in childhood stimulates development of cognitive abilities that provide benefits throughout life.

Get some neat tools for your fitness career by helping us research the question, “Does your sport match your personality?” We have been studying this topic for a few decades and want to update our understanding. Follow the link below and complete a 10- to 15-minute questionnaire on the seven dimensions of exercise. In return we will send you a review article and template you can use in your practice. The survey is anonymous, and it will help us all know more about the science of fitness.

Two years ago I became a mother, reaching a mile marker in womanhood that set me apart from other personal trainers who had not experienced the challenges of pregnancy or postpregnancy body woes. I found out just what it took to make healthy decisions every day. With each trimester, I learned new ways to cope with ever-changing levels of energy, hunger, motivation and, most of all, hormones.