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.
Breast 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…
Sports Participation in Youth Holds Long-Term Benefits for Women
Research has indicated that sports participation promotes positive behaviors in girls. But are there long-term benefits that continue once the jerseys have been retired? According to a study developed by the National Board of Economic Research, the answer is yes.
The Truth About Bioidentical Hormones
Many of your Baby Boomer female clients or class members may be taking—or thinking about taking—bioidentical hormones. Fantastic claims are often made about these supposedly “natural” hormones. Not only are they said to relieve the symptoms of menopause, but they are often purported to cure a host of diseases and even to increase longevity (Boothby & Doering 2008).
Neck Pain Solutions for Women Office Workers
The Mayo Clinic website states that most people will experience neck pain at least once during their lives. Oftentimes a result of prolonged static seated positions and poor posture, neck pain can negatively affect quality of life and is often responsible for missed workdays. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology (2009; 107, 1413–19) has found that specific strength training exercises may help women office workers reduce perceived neck pain.
Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction Not Just for Women
A study presented at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society in San Diego suggests that pelvic-floor muscle exercises can help women manage urinary incontinence. But is pelvic-floor dysfunction an issue that plagues only women? Not so, says Rich Colosi, PT, DPT, physical therapist and facility manager at the Accelerated Rehabilitation Center in Evanston, Illinois.
IDEA Member Takes a Stand for Women’s Health
IDEA member Suzie Cooney, owner of Suzie Trains Maui, hosted a unique fitness event to raise awareness of women’s health issues. Dubbed “STAND UP for Women’s Health & Fitness,” the free program offered clinics on Stand Up Paddle Surfing (SUP). “The day began with a traditional Hawaiian Welcome Blessing [followed by] beach exercises, professional SUP instruction, a noncompetitive buoy paddle for beginners and a longer SUP tour for those more experienced,” says Cooney.
Strength Training Reduces Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors
Does your breast cancer survivor client experience lymphedema, a painful swelling of the arm caused by trauma to the lymphatic system? If so, she may want to include weight training in her exercise program. A study published in the August 13 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (2009; 361 [7], 664–73) determined a link between weight lifting and reduced breast cancer–related lymphedema.
Paving the Way for a Healthy Pelvic Floor
Everywhere you turn, it seems there is a commercial, headline, advertisement or article discussing some type of women’s health issue. In particular, many women face challenges with their Pelvic Core Neuromuscular System (PCNS). These problems affect women in all walks of life, including health professionals, teachers, executives, athletes and homemakers. Many do not even know that the pattern they’ve developed is not normal.
Resilience in Older Women
Greater resilience is considered a key component of successful aging, but what does resilience actually consist of? People who age successfully seem to demonstrate resilience through their ability to adapt positively in spite of age-related disease and disability. To tease out various factors that contribute to resilience, investigators used data from 1,395 women over age 60 who were participants in the Women’s Health Initiative in San Diego.
The Bare Bones
When you were young, you probably heard the jingle “The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone; the thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone; the hip bone’s connected to the back bone . . .” That ditty could go on for some time, since there are 206 bones in the human body—from the large, thick femur that spans the length of your thigh to the tiny, thin stapes, a stirrup-shaped bone that transmits sound inside your ear. Your skull alone has 22 bones (no wonder my mother keeps telling me I have a hard head!).
Women’s Health Research Update
Research on women’s health is surging with medical developments and new study findings on exercise benefits,
Relaxation Therapy Minimizes Hot Flashes
With an estimated 85% of women experiencing hot flashes as they approach menopause, finding effective non-medication treatment is vitally important. A new Baylor University study shows hypnotic relaxation therapy can decrease the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women.
The Inner Pelvic Core
The “core” by its simplest definition includes the muscles of the abdominals and back. However, the core is actually an integrated system that includes many parts. The “roof” is the respiratory diaphragm; the abdominals support the front wall; the back and hip muscles make up the back wall; and the pelvic-floor muscles make up the bottom. Together, these parts can also be referred to as the Pelvic Core Neuromuscular System (PCNS).
Why Women Need Weight Training
Again and again, research has shown that women who maintain a regular, moderate strength training program enjoy a long list of health advantages. Some women still fear that weight training might bulk them up in unfeminine ways; however, as women of all ages realize the benefits of resistance training, negative attitudes about women in the weight room are rapidly fading, according to renowned stren…
Activity Level Predicts Heart Disease in Women
New research suggests that a woman’s level of physical activity is a better sign than body weight of existing coronary artery disease and future heart problems. The study, which appeared in the September 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (2004; 292 [10], 1179–87), examined 906 women who had chest pain, suspected narrowing of the coronary arteries, o…
Cut Out Caffeine if You’re Pregnant
Caffeine can be your enemy if you are pregnant, says a new study that appeared in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Too much caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage—even if you have no previous history of this problem.
Researchers found that a caffeine intake of more than 200 milligrams (mg) per day …
Injury Prevention for New Moms
If you are a new mother, congratulations!
Along with the blessings, however, come some physical challenges. Various
movements associated with care of a baby can cause serious distress to your
body if you don’t perform them functionally. How can you lessen the risk of
injury? Learn proper movement patterns for typical activities y…
Healthy Body Image, Healthy Food Choices
Women who accept their bodies the way they are seem to be more likely to follow principles of healthy eating, new research shows. The findings suggest that women’s typical reasons for changing their diet—a dissatisfaction with their bodies—may backfire, said Tracy Tylka, co-author of the studies and assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State University’s Marion campus.
Heart Disease and Women
Did you know that heart disease is the leading killer of females in America? Not only does heart disease kill more women than men each year, but females who survive a cardiac event fare much worse than their male counterparts. Yet many women fail to recognize the toll that cardiovascular disease (CVD) can take on their bodies, and thus fail to do what is necessary to reduce the risk of getting …
