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Diabetes Rates Expected to Soar

According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes—8.3% of the total population. By 2025, says a study in Population Health Management (2012; 15, 1–7), that number will be dwarfed.

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Integrating the Core: the Diaphragm

The definition of core work varies from format to format and means different things to different people. My own perspective has evolved over 28 years of yoga, running, dancing, Pilates, shiatsu massage, cadaver dissection and opera singing. Of all the core muscles, the respiratory diaphragm seems to be the most underutilized.

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Eye Contact Increases Feelings of Connection

As a fitness professional, do you make eye contact with each of your class members? Humans, like other social beings, have an important need to feel they are part of a group—and a recent study conducted at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, found that something as simple as eye contact (as opposed to being ignored) can make people feel more connected.

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More Evidence That Physical Activity Lessens Cognitive Decline

New research, published in Neurology (2012; [78], 1323–29), adds to the growing evidence that physical activity can reduce cognitive decline and slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The significance of this particular study is that it measured total daily activity using actigraphy instead of relying on self-reporting by study subjects. Self-reporting is not always accurate, whereas…

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Trainers: 30 Ways to Make More Money

As IDEA’s editors, we’ve learned a thing or two about profit centers as we’ve read and shepherded countless articles from the best minds in the industry. To celebrate IDEA’s 30th Anniversary, we decided to collect the best (somewhat passive) revenue stream ideas, all in one place.

We hope these ideas will inspire you and launch you into the next three decades with a new perspective on how success can be yours without it eating up all of your time, energy and financial resources.

Sell a Membership Model and Adopt Auto-Payment

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Physical Education Compliance in Schools

A great deal of discussion has taken place regarding the importance of physical education (PE) in schools. Fortunately, many districts throughout the United States are required by law to offer PE, but are they compliant? A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2012; 42 [5], 452–59) focused attention on California schools, where…

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Financial Benefits of Daily Deal Sites

Have you ever wondered if partnering with daily deal sites is worth the investment? According to Bloomspot, one of many daily deal companies, the answer is yes.

The organization analyzed customer transaction data from about 2,000 participating businesses in core markets. Here are a few highlights:

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Post Office Promotes Physical Activity

In support of improving physical activity levels, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recently unveiled a new series of forever stamps. The four stamps show a young child learning to ride a bike with training wheels, a commuter riding to work, a road racer and a BMX rider.

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Fitness Industry Booms

It’s a good time to be in the fitness industry. According to IBISWorld, an independent source of industry and market research, revenue has increased over the past 5 years in just about all sectors.

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Fitness Facilities Get Creative

Fitness industry revenue may be up (see “Fitness Industry Booms”), but that shouldn’t stop facility owners and managers from finding creative ways to draw new business and keep current members inspired. Here are some unique ideas for driving traffic, courtesy of HealthyWages.com:

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“Extreme” Exercise Hurts Hearts

In the July–August issue of IDEA Fitness Journal, we reported on a study that found participation in endurance activities like marathons was not harmful to health. A new study suggests the opposite may be true.

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Body Weight Bias Starts Early

Children are often thought of as “clean slates” when it comes to interpersonal relationships. However, researchers from Ryerson University in Toronto have found that children as young as 21/2 years old seem to have developed a bias against overweight children. The researchers told stories to 42 boys and girls aged 21/2–5 years. Two were about…

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Qualities of Top Teachers

Ideally, every exercise professional has had at least one extraordinary teacher. When you think about why that unforgettable teacher made such a lasting impression on you, do you wonder whether you can do the same for your own clients?

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Two New Anti-Obesity Drugs Approved by FDA

In late June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new prescription weight loss drug for the first time in 13 years. Lorcaserin—to be marketed in the U.S. under the name Belviq®—was approved as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management, according to an FDA press release. On its heels in mid-July came a second approval—for Qsymia™—another prescription drug for weight loss.

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Food Journals Can Help Women Lose Weight

It’s not exactly a new strategy for aiding weight loss, but if you aren’t currently using food journals with clients who are trying to shed pounds, recent research suggests that perhaps you should be. Scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center summarized the following from their study, which appeared in the July 16 online edition of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: women who want to lose weight should faithfully keep a food journal and should avoid skipping meals and eating in restaurants—especially at lunch.

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Ask the RD

Answer

Most people have heard the health warnings about trans fats. They raise LDL (artery-clogging) cholesterol and lower HDL (good) cholesterol, increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke. Trans fats are easier to spot now that the amount is listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel of food labels. However, it is still important to scan the ingredients list for sources of trans fats (hidden as partially hydrogenated oils) because the U.S.

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