Archive for May 2008
Fatigue Resistance: An Intriguing Difference in Gender
Muscle fatigue is a
multifaceted phenomenon resulting from a combination of impairments throughout
the human neuromuscular system (Hicks, Kent-Braun & Ditor 2001; Russ et al.
2008). The definition of muscle fatigue has been modified throughout the years
as research has brought forth more understanding of the components contributing
to fatigue.
…
Read MoreAirborne Particles Negatively Affect Older Adults
Older adults
exposed to particles in the air may experience diminished cardiovascular
function, says a recent study. Published in the February issue of American
Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2008; 177,
419–25), the study found that older adults exposed to miniscule indoor air
particles could be at risk.
o:…
Are Your Interview Practices Sound?
When
interviewing job applicants, do you use standardized practices, or are your
interview protocols as varied as the candidates? A study in the Canadian Journal of Administrative
Sciences (2007; 24 [1], 30–44) has discovered that many human
resources (HR) professionals may not be offering applicants interview equality.
As your personal training business or g…
Be a Standout Employee
Maybe it’s the coffee bar employee who
always has a smile and knows your favorite drink. Maybe it’s the hotel clerk
who follows through to ensure you have all the amenities you need. Or perhaps
it’s one of your co-workers who seems to consistently anticipate the needs of
managers and clients. Excellent service is easy to notice, yet is it easy to
provide?
p…
Read MoreClubs May See Huge Rise in Music License Fees
Group exercise
music in Australia may become a luxury. A press release from the International
Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) reports that clubs playing
music in group exercise classes could face more than a 3,000% increase in
licensing fees.
Currently, fitness facilities
pay a per-class fee of $0.99 in Australian dollars…
Exergaming Good, but Not Great
Significant
buzz has sparked increased interest in exergaming as a physical activity
intervention, but researchers are not convinced that it meets traditional
exercise standards. Tools such as the Nintendo Wii—with boxing, tennis and
bowling simulations, as well as dance programs—have recently been tested by
researchers at the University of Michigan Health System (U…
Postcard From India
I recently had an opportunity to
“experience” a trip of a lifetime to India with my brother, my brother-in-law,
a business associate and 17 other people from the fitness, spa and wellness
industries. The trip was organized by Mehrad Nazari, PhD, and Michele Hébert
(Inner IDEA® presenters) and
was influenced by Mehrad’s relationship with Swami Veda Bharati…
Stars on the Class Schedule
content…
Read MoreNavigating the Aisles of Natural Food Markets
Natural and organic food markets have
sprouted up everywhere, offering shoppers an alternative to conventional
supermarkets. Health-conscious consumers now have a nearby source for “natural”
foods, such as organic produce and other foods that are free of antibiotics,
preservatives, growth hormones and trans fats.
But natural food markets can…
Read MoreUnlimited Possibilities
Pilates-Inspired Routine for Travelers
Pilates instructors everywhere will soon
say goodbye to many of their best clients for all or part of the summer. Peak
travel months can be quiet ones for Pilates studios because many of the people
who can afford private Pilates instruction can also afford to explore the
world. How you prepare for this inevitable summer exodus has implications both
for the well-bein…
Tricks of the Trade
The best—and most
cost-effective—form of advertising is, and always will be, word of mouth.
In the fitness industry, we stay in business over the long term because we get
results for clients. Without those results, throwing money at costly marketing
and advertising initiatives is futile.
At FRESH! we focus on doing what we do best (getting our clie…
Read MoreBecoming a Coach: A Roadmap to Training
The new field of personal or life
coaching represents a rich avenue for career development for fitness and
wellness professionals. At national and international industry conferences,
coaching sessions are on the rise, and significant numbers of instructors and
trainers are expanding their careers with coaching services. What is this new
field (see the sidebar “What …
IDEA Home Study
Download IDEA Home Study…
Read MoreBody Image a Focus of Preschool Program
It’s never too
early to get kids thinking about body image and diversity, say facilitators of
a project developed by Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Child Development
Laboratory Preschool.
The preschool teachers traced outlines
of the students’ bodies onto large pieces of paper. The children were then
encouraged to paint…
Movement Goes Expressive With Yo-Nia
Learn how to turn exercise into bodywork through an expressive workout that combines the wisdom and benefits of two movement practices: yoga and the Nia® Technique.
Nia is a body-mind-spirit movement practice dedicated to well-being. In Swahili, Nia means “with purpose,” which exactly describes the Ni…
Exergaming: Programming Outside the Xbox
Exergames are “games for health that get the player moving, using physical challenges and interfaces that require movement and exertion,” states Debra Lieberman, a lecturer in the department of communication and a researcher in the Institute for Social, Behavioral and Economic Rese…
Read MorePopularity May Predict Weight in Girls
According to a study published in the January issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (162 [1], 23-28), adolescent girls who perceive themselves as unpopular may be at greater risk for weight gain. The authors measured BMI and employed the Subjective Social Status (SSS) Scale, a tool used to determine how users see themselves in relation to others, to draw correla…
Read MoreNo quick fix: Exercise, diet fight cellulite
What is the most effective way to get rid of cellulite?
Tyra,
Redondo Beach
Cellulite is just plain old fat. It looks different from the outside — characterized by a dimpled, cottage-cheese appearance — because the connective tissue surrounding the fat in those areas has a different pattern than the connective tissue in other areas of …
Read MorePros and cons of training in a group or with friends
Instead of visiting the gym alone, Joe Duffy and his wife exercise twice a week with a group of seven to nine people and a personal trainer.
Though it sounds like an oxymoron — personal training in a group? — it is a growing trend at large health clubs and small gyms. A survey by the IDEA Health and Fitness Association, an organization for fitness professionals, showed that 71 percent …