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Research

If there was ever an exercise study that got the attention of physicians and health care decision makers, it was the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The aim of this 3-year, multicenter, randomized clinical trial was to determine whether lifestyle intervention (including exercise) or pharmacological therapy (metformin) would prevent or delay the onset of diabetes in…

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Overcoming the Fear Factor

Fear of failure stops many people from exercising or trying new activities. According to David E. Conroy, PhD—assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the sport psychology lab at Pennsylvania State University, University Park—they may specifically fear the shame and embarrassment that come with failure. They may be afraid that they won’t fulfill their ideal self-image. The thought of not doing well at exercise may make them anxious that they are not as competent as they believed and lower their self-esteem.

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Take Advantage of Seniors’ Interest in Team Sports

In an article in the December 23, 2002, issue of the Los Angeles Times, Martin Miller reported that tens of thousands of Americans over 50 participate in organized team sports. He also stated that, considering that almost 21 million baby boomers are expected to turn 50 over the next 5 years, the number of such leagues may grow considerably.

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Reminders Appropriate as Osteoporosis Awareness Month Nears

National Osteoporosis Awareness Month may be next month, but reminders about enhancing bone health are always appropriate. For example, you can remind your clients that the best defense against osteoporosis is to develop strong bones, especially before the age of 30, and that regular exercise has been shown to encourage bone growth throughout life.

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The Remarkable Calorie

Pick up any packaged food, and you will see the number of calories listed on the label. Of course, nonpackaged foods, such as fresh produce, have calories, too; they just don’t carry labels telling you how many. Most people know that the body uses the calories contained in foods for energy and that, if they consume more calories than they expend, they will gain weight. (They also know that, if they do the opposite, they will lose weight.) Nonetheless, what exactly is a calorie, why do foods have calories and how does the body use them?

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The Foot

Understanding the foot and how it functions is important in understanding the structure and function necessary for the body to withstand a lifetime of activity. After all, the muscular support that creates the body’s passive architecture—which allows, for example, the fundamental function
of gait—begins at the foot.

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Surviving a Tax Audit

We work hard as personal trainers. Many of us invest a great deal of not only our time but also our hard-earned money in our chosen profession; expenses such as certifications, uniforms, CPR training, continuing education credits, business cards and fitness equipment really add up. The good news is that a significant portion
of the costs of doing business can be itemized as deductions. The bad news is that, because personal training is still a young profession, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn’t always readily understand our deductions.

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When Your Class Is Rude to a Sub

My class members are consistently rude and unwelcoming when other teachers sub for me, making it hard to get subs. No one wants to enter the “piranha pit,” as the other instructors put it. They imply that the participants’ bad attitudes are somehow my fault. I don’t get it, since my regulars are great when…

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Find Your Balance With the BOSU® Balance Trainer

No two ways about it: Functional balance training is hot. This progressive concept has permeated all aspects of fitness, sports and elite athletic training and often brings with it a prop or two. Whether you are the type of person who hops on the balance trainer without a second thought or the type who prefers…

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Ease Relaxation Into Your Classes

To the well-being of your participants, deep relaxation is as important as regular exercise and is therefore a logical addition to your class cool-downs. Daily stresses can trigger physical and emotional tension that, if unmanaged, can harm health. Progressive relaxation and guided imagery are easy skills to learn and great services to add to your…

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The Lowdown on Leptin

Researchers once thought that body fat was as sedentary as the people who accumulated it. Through animal studies, scientists subsequently learned that adipose tissue is quite active in the way our bodies balance energy and control weight (Harris 2000). Further investigation ultimately led to the discovery of leptin, a hormone that is produced by and…

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Slash Your Stress Level

Feeling stressed? Maybe you can’t get to sleep, worry more than before, suffer from shoulder tension or feel overwhelmed? Although the best response to stress may be to juggle fewer activities, you can’t always cut down on what you do. You can, however, trick your stress alarm system into thinking you are doing less. Use these tips from Janet Lapp, PhD, professional speaker, author of Plant Your Feet Firmly in Mid-Air and publisher of The Change Letter, to help alleviate stress.

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Strength Training for Kids

Most people are aware that children in developed nations are experiencing epidemic levels of obesity, and that this problem is, in large part, associated with physical inactivity. However, the standard fitness recommendation to get more cardiovascular exercise may not be the best advice for overweight, underactive children. The fact is, very few children choose to spend 20 to 30 minutes doing any kind of continuous endurance exercise, regardless of the benefits or incentives.

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The Foot

fine

anatomy

By Susan L. Hitzmann, MS

The Foot
Explore the workings of the architectural masterpiece that balances and propels the body.

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nderstanding the foot and how it functions is important in understanding the structure and function necessary for the body to withstand a lifetime of activity. After all, the muscular support that creates the body’s passive architecture–which allows, for …

Read More