Archive for June 2010
Strength Training–Related Injuries on the Rise
As more people head to gyms to reap the benefits of strength training, the prevalence of related
injuries increases, according to a study conducted by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Scientists at the institute’s Center for Injury Research and Policy discovered that U.S. hospital emergency departments treated more than 970,000 injuries related to weight training between 1990 and 2007. The injury rate increased by almost 50% during that 18-year period.
10 foods always to have on hand
Have you ever tried to stretch a meal when guests arrive unexpectedly at dinnertime? According to a book published by Better Homes and Gardens magazine, anyone can whip up a meal fit for a king, provided that they have these staples in their pantry at all times:
pasta sauce
dried pasta
frozen vegetables
salad dressing, including
one vinaigrette dressing
mixed salad greens
frozen meatballs
russet potatoes
frozen fish fillets
chicken breast halves
pork chops
Brainstorming Fun, New Programs
What Makes Some People Faster or Stronger?
Ever notice that some of your clients can do cardiovascular exercise for long periods of time but tire quickly when lifting weights? Or that others can lift heavy weights but run only 5 minutes on the treadmill? The reason why some clients can run faster or longer or get bigger muscles more easily than others lies in their muscles. The specific types of fibers that make up individual muscles greatly influence the way your clients adapt to their training programs. Humans have different types of muscle fibers (as well as gradations between them).
Read Morebetter skin through food
Although some skin conditions are best treated by a dermatologist, you can enhance the appearance of your skin by improving the content of your diet. According to the editors at Reader’s Digest, here are the foods that can make your skin do an about-face:
Eggs, Legumes, Avocados, Nuts and Soybeans. These foods contain an essential vitamin called biotin, which is vital for the metabolism
of carbohydrates and fats; a deficiency can cause dry skin.
cheap tricks: save money on special diets
People who suffer from conditions such as celiac disease, lactose intolerance, food allergies, diabetes and other gastrointestinal disorders are often required to be on a restrictive diet. While special diets are effective in treating these conditions, they also can be quite expensive to maintain over a long period of time. That’s because gluten-free products and other special foods typically cost more than conventional items.
Read Morenew citrus fruits debut in stores
Coming to your supermarket this summer is a bevy of citrus fruits that should sweeten and surprise your palate. Here’s a look at five rising stars in the citrus family:
Buddha’s Hand Citron. This pale yellow, 6- to 12-inch fruit has a thick rind and is split into segments that
resemble fingers. But don’t be put off by its strange appearance; this sweet-smelling variety is used by
innovative chefs in marmalades and crème brûlées.
Weight Control Behaviors in Female Adolescents
Little is known about the effectiveness of behavioral strategies to prevent long-term weight gain in female adolescents and young adults. That’s why researchers set out to assess the connection between diet and physical activity in weight-control strategies (alone and together)
and in subsequent weight gain.
New Rules for Weight Management and Women
A recent study published by The Journal of the American Medical Association (2010; 303 [21], 1173–79) announced that women should average 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity daily in order to avoid long-term weight gain. Researchers from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston investigated activity levels and weight change among 37,079 women for 13 years. The subjects were said to have consumed a “usual diet” during the intervention period; no details were provided about diet.
Read MoreBreast Cancer Survivor DVD
IDEA presenters Clare Dunphy and Naomi Aaronson have created a free online video for breast cancer survivors. Passionately Pink is presented in two parts: part one consists of Pilates chair exercises, and part two comprises Pilates mat exercises. “The video is geared to women 6–8 weeks postsurgery and beyond,” says Aaronson. “It is designed to…
Read MoreAmerican Council on Exercise Commemorates 25 Years!
IDEA Health & Fitness Association would like to congratulate the American Council on Exercise (ACE) on its 25th year of service. “Since its founding in 1985, ACE has been committed to keeping fitness professionals on the forefront of the latest fitness trends and exercise science, along with protecting consumers from unsafe and ineffective fitness products and advice,” says Scott Goudeseune, ACE’s president and chief executive officer (on the left). Currently, more than 50,000 ACE-certified fitness professionals hold more than 55,000 certifications.
Read MoreGuide to Healthy Eating
In a world where food choices are many and your selections can hurt or help your body comes the latest edition of Eat This, Not That! by Men’s Health editor in chief David Zinczenko. The book is marketed as offering “The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution.” Eat This, Not That! is designed as a guide for…
Read MoreElectric Shock
Physical therapists sometimes use electrical-stimulation devices to rehabilitate damaged or weakened muscles. There are professionals and companies outside the therapy world who claim that electrical stimulation can also help individuals develop “six-pack abs.” Devices come in various forms, from patches to belts, and promise users a nonexercise method for dropping weight. But do these tools…
Read MoreMovement Helps Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Fibromyalgia is a potentially debilitating condition that affects about 2% of the population (www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079). More common in women than men, the disease is described by the Mayo Clinic as a “chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in . . . muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points.” The combination of fatigue, pain and tenderness can be exercise prohibitive.
Read MoreObesity and Depression Interrelated
What comes first, depression or obesity? The answer may remain a mystery, say researchers from the Leiden University Medical Center and GGZ Rivierduinen, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Read MoreHealthcare Reform and Fitness Professionals
Earlier this year, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the much-talked-about healthcare reform bill into law. What does this mean for fitness professionals? According to a press release from the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), a focus on prevention may spur employees and employers alike to purchase gym memberships and work with personal trainers. Here is a breakdown of how the new law could affect fitness facilities nationwide, according to IHRSA:
Read MoreStay Cool Under the Hot Sun
Summer’s getting underway, and it’s likely that many of your clients or class participants are headed outdoors to enjoy it. While outdoor activity is alluring this time of year, there are some risks involved. Hayley Hollander, IDEA member and personal trainer in Las Vegas, knows how to stay safe in warm weather. “If you’re not…
Read MorePE, Not Boot Camps, Best for Kids
Intervention efforts such as “fat camps” or boot camps may not be best for overweight or obese kids, according to Deborah J. Rhea, associate professor at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. The problem lies in the short duration of many of these programs, she says in an article published in the March 1 issue…
Read MoreTaking Exercise Al Fresco in Spain
People living in different regions of Spain have opposing views on fitness. “Talking about new trends in fitness and working out at lunchtime or after work are normal in certain cities, for example,” says Alex Ventura, a Barcelonan who has been working in the fitness industry for more than 15 years as a group exercise instructor, a personal trainer, a consultant and an educator.
Read MoreHigh-Fructose Corn Syrup and Sweetened Beverages
Topping the ingredient list of many processed foods and sweetened beverages, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has garnered much attention for contributing to America’s obesity problem. Over the past several years, researchers have pointed to a parallel rise in HFCS consumption and obesity rates in the United States. Some people even avoid HFCS because they think it’s “evil.”
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